Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Trooper David Shawn Blanton Jr.
May you rest in peace knowing the those you left behind will be cared for by the law enforcement community and those who serve it. My prayers are with your family and friends. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Crystal Owen
Pasquotank-Camden E-911

June 22, 2008

Trooper Shawn Blanton, you will never be forgotten. It was truly an honor to attend your funeral. I pray for your wife and baby Ty daily. Rest in the Lord Brother you fought a good fight and you kept the faith.

FOREVER G540

Ptl. P.D Robbins
Forest City Police Dept. Forest City, NC

June 22, 2008

God bless you and your family. You will never be forgotten.

Tpr. Frank Thornberry
Kentucky State Police

June 22, 2008

Well my brother as we laid you to rest yesterday I knew you were gone. I was so saddened and hurt that I was carried away from the gravesite. As I look at that night all I can say is I wish it would have been me and not you. You did not deserive this and neither did Michaela and Tye. I will be coming and seeing you this week since I did not have the strength to say it on Friday or Yesterday. I have never lost anyone I was close to as you and I are. I just could not bare the fact that I will never hear your laugh again or ever see your smile again. My heart is so heavy that all I want to do is cry. Shawn you were the perfect friend always knew what to say. for example when you seen how hurt I was over my grandfather how you and Joe pulled my head up and we had perfect games. Thank you Shawn for you. I love you my Brother and I will see you soon!

Wialliam Benhart
Waynesville P.D.

June 22, 2008

Shawn, even though I only worked with you a short time it did not take me long to realize that you are a great person. God must have a geater need for someone like you now, so go rest high on that mountain and be at peace. God will watch over your family and take care of them. You will be missed greatly by all. Hero's live forever!

Deputy N. Gregory
Haywood Co. Sheriffs Office

June 22, 2008

To Michaela, as a police officer's wife, I cannot imagine what you are going through right now. Please know that you and your son are in my thoughts and prayers now and always. To Trooper Blanton, thank you for your service. The world is a safer place because of it. You are loved and missed.

Christina Manee
LEO's wife

June 22, 2008

I watched your service and heard those speak and i continue to think to myself "why" this does not seem real, it just can't happen. I remember Sgt Hewitt's (eow 4-4-04)service and i thought please Lord never again, i remember thinking the same at the other Troopers service from 1985 Trooper Harmon April 85 to Trooper Coggins sept 85 to Lt Hicks (Avery Co S.O Feb 2003) and Troopers Taylor and Cogdill. Why does this keep happening, of course nobody can predict the future and everyone knows the risk. I wish Sir that i had the answer and that these sensless EVIL acts could be stopped forever. I will continue to pray for you, your family and co-workers.

Public Safety Supervisor, Gary Mintz
Warren Wilson College, NC Public Safety

June 22, 2008

As a wife of a deputy here in North Carolina my heart aches tremendously for Trooper Blanton's family, friends and colleagues. I hope you all can find peace after such a tragic experience. God Bless you and I am sorry for your great loss you have experienced.

Deputies Wife

June 22, 2008

May God grant your family peace and you, eternal rest in Him. Thank you for your service.

Lt J. Benson (ret)
Michigan LEO, retired

June 22, 2008

Dear Blanton Family,
My pastor's husband was working in your town this week and informed our church this morning of your loss. My church hurt for you today, as they continue to support me and my son. My husband was shot and killed on March 17, 2007 (his 34th birthday). Our son was 4 months old the day of his funeral. My heart is hurting and sobbing for you right now, especially since I know you are numb at this moment. Your family will remain in my prayers always, and I will contact you in the days to come. Meanwhile, know that even smalltown Texas is praying for you. May God wrap his comforting arms around you.
Amanda Hurst
Wife of Texas Game Warden, Justin Hurst EOW 3/17/2007

Amanda Hurst
wife of fallen officer

June 22, 2008

sad day for all, a little bit of america has died today, we will meet again brother, god bless all the family esoecially the little baby

detective gene toreky
retired miami beach police

June 22, 2008

This is such a sad time for NC. I did not know Trooper Blanton in life. I know I lived and slept in peace knowing he and others were standing watch for me, my family and my community. I am so grateful for his service and ultimate sacrifice. My heart breaks for his beautiful family and I pray you will be blessed and find some peace in knowing your reunion still lies ahead.

Laurie
citizen

June 22, 2008

Rest In Peace my brother. All of us know the dangers that we face each and every time we check 10-41 but we do it anyway. We dont do it for fame or fortune, we do it because it's something that is in our blood. We want to make a difference in someone's life. You paid the ultimate price that night so the rest of the world could be safe. No one knows why it was your time to be called home but it was. Rest In Peace Shawn.

Master Trooper K.B. Heath
NCSHP C/1

June 22, 2008

Rest in peace brother. We've got the watch from here. May God bless your family, friends and fellow officers who all mourn the loss of yet another hero.

Motor Officer Dominick Marraccini
Easton Police Department, Easton, PA

June 22, 2008

My Family and I were saddened by the loss of one of our own, a husband and father. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Family and the speedy recovery of their Baby. May God truely Bless you all.

Sgt. Barry Pridgeon and Family

Sgt. Barry Pridgeon
Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office

June 22, 2008

Rest in Peace Trooper Blanton. A Carpenter who's Words I read often once said..."The greatest thing you can do is lay down your life for your Brother".

Nothing I can say will ever express my sorrow at our loss. Prayers for the family and all the community in morning.

Dennis Jones
WNCW Spindale NC-Public Radio

June 22, 2008

Trooper Blanton,

There are no words to express the heartfelt pain that we all are feeling this day. As I checked off yesterday morning and came home to begin putting together my class A uniform for your funeral a feeling of hopelessness overcame me.

I was working on that terrible night that you lost your life. I never thought that the Haywood line could feel so far from the 44 mile marker. As we all rushed out I-40 it seemed as time stood still and our cruisers just wouldnt move.

I remember walking into the ER at Mission thinking to myself this can't be happeneing, Not here. As I stood and watched your wife being walked into the ER I couldnt help but crumble inside. Know the Trooper Henderson did everything in his power to take your wifes pain away at that moment in the ER, and that he truly is a friend to you.

The hours following your passing were as eery as they come. The radio in Asheville was bone chillingly quiet yet the news was spreading fast. It saddens me that it takes a tragedy such as this to make people see that were are not just Troopers, Cops, and Deputies. We are far more, and we have far more to lose then just a job.

You left behind family and friends that will forever be in debt to you for your servies to the State of North Carolina. To your wife, son and family I offer my deepest heartfelt condolences for your loss.

Asheville G-Geroge 540 is 10-42 will forever be etched in my memory. It will remain in the back of my mind while spending time with your brothers and my close friends in G4. It will be a constant reminder to all of us to stay our course.

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God" Matthew 5:9

SPO #2206
Ashville Police Department

June 22, 2008

REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND YOU ARE A TRUE HERO AND WILL BE MISSED A GREAT DEAL. MY DEEPEST HEARTFELT SYMPATHY GO OUT TO YOUR WIFE AND NEWBORN CHILD. MAY GOD SHINE DOWN ON THEM ALWAYS. WHEN I CROSS THE GATES OF HEAVEN I HOPE TO SHAKE YOUR HAND AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE WHICH WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

POLICE OFFICER ROBERT TONIETTO
CARY POLICE DEPT. NC

June 22, 2008

Thank you Shawn. Even though I dont know you directly I can tell from what I have read on the board you were a great person. Thank you for your sacrifice Shawn you will never be forgotten.

In valor there is hope...

Greg
Michigan

June 22, 2008

Officer David Shawn Blanton Jr. he was an amazing Officer-Friend.
If you ever needed anything he was there for you. He was always smiling. well thank you Shawn for everything protecting everyone in north carolina. you will never be forgotten. G-540 your the best man. R.I.P

Dalton Stephens
Friend

June 22, 2008

RIP Trooper Blanton, thank you SIR for for giving your life to protect and serve.

Michaela and Tye you are in our prayers.

If God counts tears as prayers, there is a flood in WNC and the the caring people of our nation on your behalf.

Your name and what you stood for will not be forgotten.

randy green
a thankful citizen

June 22, 2008

Rest in Peace.

Fellow Trooper
NCSHP

June 21, 2008

Shawn, brother I'm gonna miss you more than words can describe. I will always remember your smile and your laugh for it's these two things that seem forever in my mind. You were a true friend and a hero to all of us in law enforcement and to the citizens that you kept watch over. Thank you brother for way that you lived your wonderful life and they way you served the great state of North Carolina.

Forever, G-540

Chad Case
Western Carolina University PD

June 21, 2008

MAY GOD BLESS AND PLACE A HEDGE OF PROTECTION AROUND YOUR SON AND WIFE. I WILL SAY A PRAYER FOR THEM. TROOPER BLANTON JR. ENJOY YOUR NEW ASSINGMENT IN HEAVEN WITH THE LORD OUR GOD. REST IN PEACE.

CONSTABLE TODD BOOHER
GRAYSON COUNTY TEXAS CONSTABLE PCT. 3

June 21, 2008

I did not know you even though we wear the same uniform. Yet you and your family have not left my thoughts and prayers. I pray for strength & peace for your wife. I pray for health for your son. I will honor your memory and seek justice for
us all.

Trooper
NCSHP

June 21, 2008