Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

And another Hero is taken away from us. Trooper David Shawn Blanton was killed in the line of duty, the night of June 17. Just seeing the heartbreak spread across our communities again brings back such awful memories. Knowing that so many are experiencing the pain that we all felt on that fateful day .. knowing that this will forever change their lives. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it is for his family, and others that are re-living the days that changed their lives forever.

It gives me great comfort in knowing that you (and so many beloved others) were waiting to welcome him home. I know in my heart that you remain with all of us, day in and day out, watching over us. You will never be forgotten, Jeff.

May God continue to bless and watch over your loved ones; family, friends, and law enforcement brothers and sisters ... until we meet again.

Jennifer Lawrence

June 20, 2008

I saw Tracie on the news while at work, in relation to Trooper Blanton's murder. I decided to come to ODMP to get the info about your husband's sacrifice. Like every other page on this site, the memorial and reflections break my heart. I really just wanted to say I will add you and your loved ones to my prayer list now. It has been a little over 3 years for us and when reading your reflections for your husband, I see so much of us in there. From one survivor to another, thank you for carrying on Jeff's legacy with strength and passion. I know our experiences will help the survivors of the future, but I really just wish this site weren't even necessary for us.

God bless you and God Bless Jeff for the job he did for his community. I pray God only continues to wrap his arms around you and Taylor as time goes on. It'll never be easy, but I guess it gets "easier". I know that Jeff welcomed Peter into Heaven with wide open arms, and I'm sure they throw ridiculous parties up there.

LEO Wife, Louisville KY and a survivor of Peter Grignon EOW 3/23/05

June 20, 2008

Rest in peace sarge and thank you for your service. Stay strong Tracie and know we will always be here to support you.

Gordon Hobbs
NC Game Warden

June 19, 2008

Just reflecting on your life that I never really knew just thinking about how beautifully you and your crew cared for our little community at woods Edge Apts, and did your drive throughs just to make sure all was well...
And remembering the funny things you joked about while spraying weeds, hey, need a little shot of ortho? lol... As we mourn yet another fallen officer David Shawn Blanton, I will always give thanks to my Dear Heavenly Father for the life you gave to protect us from the worst in life and for the smiles you left behind with courage shining through... God bless your beautiful family and may he comfort them always till you meet again...wonderful handshakes between you and David Shawn Blanton and shared smiles of a wonderful life...
Thankyou!!!

laurie

June 18, 2008

Hi Jeff! Please take care of Trooper Blanton as he joins you in heaven. We miss you so much!

K.Houston
WNC Citizen

June 18, 2008

Well, Jeff you have another brother to take care of. Trooper Blanton take him under your wing and help through this time. You have always been a teacher and trainer. We still miss you so much. Be strong and continue to watch out for those of us left behind.

Detective MA Burgess
Henderson County Sheriff's Office

June 18, 2008

Hey Jeff,
I'm really sorry I Haven't had a chance to leave a refelection in a while... I have been super busy what with starting high school and now EOC's are coming up. I was reading one of mom's reflections and I can't believe that I missed your's and her's anniversary; I feel terrible. I wonder what we would be doing or what life would be like if you were still here... I have to go now, I'm in school. Please know that I love you and am thinking of you always.

Taylor

Taylor Youngblood
Step-son

May 29, 2008

Memorial Day will be here in a few days. I wanted to stop at your page and thank you for your dedicated service to your Country. I salute you for your courage and dedication. Thank you for keeping us all free. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

May 23, 2008

Thinking of you today, May 15th, National Police Memorial Day. My wife attended the Memorial today at the American Police Hall of Fame in Titusville, Florida and placed a blue rose with your photograph below your marble panel where your name appears. It will be there for as long as there is room so those that visit can put a face to your name. Continue to watch over all of your loved ones.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer:Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

May 15, 2008

Dear Jeff,

As Police Week in DC is upon us, your Honor Guard left early this morning to post and honor you once again, please keep them safe in their travels.

We love and miss you!

BCSO

May 12, 2008

Hey Baby
Well, this time tomorrow...7yrs ago...we were a nervous wreck preparing to walk down the isle. May 12th, that was our big day. I remember when you mentioned marriage to me for the first time. I said, "I'll marry you on the 12th...of never". I swore I would never marry again. But somewhere along the way you captured my heart and I knew you were the one for me. So we both agreed that it only made sense to get married on the 12th. So May it was! That was the best day of my life aside from the day I gave birth to Taylor.

Baby, I wish so much that you were still here to celebrate our 7th year with me. I can't believe what was stolen from us. I wonder what we would be doing to celebrate. Well, baby, I'll definately have you in my heart tomorrow.

I love you
See you in my dreams 1-4-3

Tracie

Tracie Hewitt

May 11, 2008

Hey Baby,

Just wanted you to know how often I think of you and I miss you so. I ran across this song and the words just say everything about how I feel. It's by Ronan Keating and it's called "The Best of Me". That's definately what you were and I'm so lost without you.

See you in my dreams 1-4-3
Tra



"The Best Of Me"

Every time you cross my mind
I catch my breath and sigh
And every memory that we shared
Still lives deep inside
Just like a ship without an ocean
Like a sun without a sky

You were the best of me
I swear you were the best of me
And since you have gone there’s nothing left in me
My love you were the best of me
When I close my eyes I see you there

Every night you come to me
Your touch so soft and sweet
We leave this world so far behind
But only in my dreams

Somebody stole the stars from my sky
Oh won’t you please return to me

You were the best of me
I swear you were the best of me
And since you have gone there’s nothing left in me
My love you were the best of me
When I close my eyes I see you there
As I see you there
Will I see you again?
Will I see you again?

Somebody stole the stars from my sky
Oh won’t you please return to me

You were the best of me
I swear you were the best of me
And since you have gone there’s nothing left in me
My love you were the best of me
When I close my eyes I see you there
See you there
I see you there

Tracie Hewitt

May 1, 2008

Jeff,

It's been a while since I stopped by. I just wanted to say hi and let you know you are still a huge part of everyone's lives that you knew (and didn't know for that matter). Not a day goes by that I don't think about you and your family. Continue to watch over us (we need all the help down here we can get)!

April 29, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

April 9, 2008

JEFF: HEY COUSIN ITS BEEN WHAT IT FEELS LIKE FOREVER. FOUR YEARS ITS A UNKNOWN TIME. I KNOW THE WHOLE FAMILY MISSES YOU. I KNOW UNCLE BILL,AUNT PAT,SUSAN WISH THEY COULD JUST REACH OUT AND HUG YOU. I KNOW TRACIE AND TYLER MISS YOU COMING HOME AND COMPLETEING WHAT WAS A WONDERFUL FAMILY. AS FOR MYSELF I HAVE NOT FIGURED OUT WHY THE BIG GUY UPSTAIRS NEEDED YOU SO BAD AS WE NEEDED YOU HERE AS WELL. IT PROVIDES US COMFORT THOUGH TO KNOW EVERYDAY YOU ARE WATCHING US AND GUIDING US AND WE HAVE ONE WONDERFUL ANGEL LOOKING OVER US. I KNOW FOR A FACT YOU HAVE BEEN WITH ME SEVERAL TIMES NOW AS I HAVE BEEN IN SOME REALLY BAD SITUATIONS. YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE TO WORK SOME KIND OF MIRACLE IN THE WORST OF MY SITUATIONS AND JUST WANTED TO SAY THANKS COUSIN.WHEN YOU NEED ANOTHER ANGEL UP THERE PUT IN A GOOD WORD FOR ME AS I WANT TO CONTINUE HELPING PEOPLE AND BE THE HERO,FRIEND,LEADER,AND WONDERFUL FAMILY MAN YOU WERE. WE LOVE YOU JEFF JESSE II,CHRISSY, ROSE,JESSE SR.

JESSE HEWITT II FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC
COUSIN-NEWPORT NEWS, VA FIRE DEPT

April 7, 2008

Sir
I just wanted to say that i haven't forgotten your service and dedication as the 4 year date arrived. We listened to the radio memorial at the time of that horrible night and as always it was a wonderful message. You will never be forgotten and i will continue to pray for the Lord to continue to watch over Tracie and all your co-workers. God Bless you and keep you Sgt Hewitt.

Public Safety Super. Gary Mintz
Warren Wilson College, Asheville NC

April 6, 2008

Four years today Sarge. I'll never forget. You are missed badly! I will see you in time.
D.G.

Deputy Galloway
Transylvania County S.O.

April 4, 2008

Jeff,

We lit a candle today in your honor. Watch over your family and your Brothers in Blue.

Carol Gordon

April 4, 2008

Wow, could it have really been four years ago? Not possible. I haven't written in so long, but things are going great. Jason and I are engaged and moving in to a new place starting tonight. What day is the wedding? 10-25-08, We are going to meet forever. I am working in detectives now so it's not as dangerous as the road, but it does have the potential. I have gotten closer to the Lord and it makes all the difference. Faith is an amazing thing and it will make you so strong. Thank you for making me strong just by being a good example. You are always in our hearts and not far from our thoughts. Tracie and Taylor are always in our prayers.

We love you, E-2

Amber

MA Burgess
Henderson County Sheriff's Office

April 4, 2008

Devil Dawg:

May You Rest - In - Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

April 4, 2008

Tracy,
You and the rest of Jeff's family are in my thoughts and prayers today. I'll never forget that Easter thinking of you getting that dreaded knock on the door - oh I know how that feels. I remember talking with you later that same year and some of the things we talked about and now here you are....4 years later. You've made it further than you ever would have imagined you could, I'm sure. I'm thankful to all the people who have supported you in the last 4 years....there again, I know how important that support is. Hope to talk to you soon. Take care of yourself girl & hang in there!

Denise
Survivor of Trooper Calvin Taylor

April 4, 2008

Hey Baby,
It's so hard to believe that tomorrow 4 years will have past since you were taken from us. People say that "time heals all wounds"...I guess they're right to some extent. I'm just glad that the "scars" remain as a constant reminder of what we all lost that day. They aren't physical scars...but "scars" just the same. I know that there will forever be a "void"...an emptiness in my heart that nothing nor anyone can ever fill. I still have that tape of our last conversation that day. It's nice to just hear your voice. It brings me close to you and I feel like if I just close my eyes...I could reach out and touch you. There are so many times when I wish you were here to comfort me...and so many times when I just wish I could hear you laugh and see your smile. At least I have all of those things locked deep inside my heart.

Well Baby, I'll go for now. Taylor and I will see you tomorrow. We will be joining everyone at the Dept to honor you once more. It breaks my heart to know that John Miller wont be able to join us here, but we will remember him as well.

I love you forever,
See you in my dreams 1-4-3
Tra

“Oh My Love, How I Miss You”

Oh my love, how I miss you
Since you left the house that day
When our lips met for the last sweet time
I love you, the last words you’d say.

If I knew it would be the last time
That we would hug and kiss
I would’ve dragged you back into the house
And made you give your job a miss.

But faithful as ever you went to work
You waved goodbye to me
As you turned out of the drive, you blew a kiss
The last time, your face, I’d see.

Oh honey how I miss you
I feel so much alone
Though I still look down the drive
Hoping to see you coming home.

It’s only, knowing Jesus
That keeps my hope alive
“Cause he was there beside us
When we became Man and Wife.

I’m so glad that He was with you
On Fairhaven Court that night
I’m so glad that he was with me
When the knock came to my fright.

I know you are still with me
Though your face I cannot see
I love and miss you darling
But now your sprit’s free.

So my sweetest darling I know you sleep in peace
I know that you’re in heaven, walking heaven’s beat.
And when my time comes, to go home
Then once again we’ll meet.

Tracie Hewitt

April 3, 2008

We are thinking of you as we approach the 4 year anniversary of you moving on to heaven. We miss you very much. Thank you for the service you gave to your country and then to the citizens of Buncombe County. To Jeff's family, we hold you in our prayers.

Kelly Houston

April 3, 2008

Jeff, thinking of you today and sending our support to Tracie, your parents and all of your loved ones and close friends. For some it feels like yesterday that you were here, joking, laughing and helping those in need. For others it has felt like a lifetime. I know that those close to you now equate time in two phases. The time when you were here and the time now that you are gone. So many lives were changed, dreams destroyed, all because of one individual who had no respect for life, not even his own. Continue to watch over all of your loved ones and those still out on patrol. I will have the candle lit for you next to your picture. Be sure you hook up with Mike and have a shot of some Jamison Irish Whiskey and if you don't want your shot, give it to Mike. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

April 3, 2008

Good morning son,
It's early morning and the sun is just starting to come up. So many thoughts and memories filling my mind. At this time four years ago you were still with us. As I write this it is 04/02/08. Little did we know that in just two days time you would be taken from us and our lives would be changed forever. As we prepare to honor you at the candle light service on the 4th and the run on the 5th we thank God every day for the wonderful people at the Sheriffs' dept. and the fire dept. as they give of their time and their love to make sure you will always be remembered in such a special way. They lift us up and help us make it thru this very difficult time. Be with us honey on the 4th and the 5th and know that you are loved and missed so very much. We'll see you there.
Love, mom, dad and Susan

mom

April 2, 2008