Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Trooper Blanton I never knew you, but you are a brother. This was a senseless act that we will never understand. Your wife, son and entire family are in my prayers daily. You are a true HERO! Rest in peace. Isaiah 41:10.

First Sergeant Scott Holland, D211
NCSHP

June 21, 2008

Shawn,
I really didnt know you like my parents did but its still hard to think about. Your wife is BEAUTIFUL and your son is so ADORABLE. I guess the reason why he was premature was so he could see his daddy and you can hold your son. Me and my sister Tiffany where talkin about what happen when we passed where you were shot that we wished they would have killed him or killed him the next morning. What happen just made me think and think harder, just how much I have and how much more I should respect every officer and respect my parents more then what I already do. Its kinda freaks me out so bad just think that could have been my mom or dad. But I do know for a fact you died a hero and your now in a better place. Ill be singin the song they played at your funeral at church one day and dad will be playing the guitar for me. "The Last Best Place". Mom cried randomly and when we was reading over the reflections we both cried. Time does heal but Time cant take a memory away especially this memory. I hear what goes on in this ole crazy town I dont know how you do it or any of them do it. I make foward text messages all the time for you and one of them got to people about how much they got till they loose it and the every single cop should be treated with respect cops are just not some pig or donut eatin person there a hero and if you call them that your a coward with no respect they could be a reason why there still leavin i was making foward messages that night when daddy got called out I admitt i was scared thinking Is he gonna shoot again I prayed and listenin on moms Walky made things hard. I still dont understand why it was your time but i guess god needed you up there to watch on us and the other troopers and deputys PLEASE watch out for mommy and daddy and also my sister cause she is beginin to have a led foot. I figured God needed you as an angel well you have earned your wings. Your Hero and will always be one/

Rest In Peace Trooper David Shawn Blanton, Jr., G-540 January 19, 1984 to June 17, 2008. You will be missed more and more everyday. It wasn't easy saying goodbye. Your rejoicing with the angels. Resting with the promise that someday we'll meet face to face in THE LAST BEST PLACE.

Love,
Angela <3

Angela
Daughter of Cpt of Haywood Sheiff and Waynesville Police

June 21, 2008

my heart goes out to mrs. blanton during this time of tragic loss. though i've been where you are, i can't imagine how much harder it must be with a child - a newborn. know that officers and their families from all over the country are praying for and remembering you. there is so much evil in the world - stand strong and be proud of your husband for all the RIGHT things he stood for and for all the reasons he chose law enforcement as a profession.

grace and peace to you,
carla h. lyon, widow, asst. chief deputy keith lyon, knoxville, tn. eow 05.09.06

June 21, 2008

May God Bless you and your family David you are a credit to your uniform Rest in Peace you served well.
Des Goulding
Retired Special Const
Australia

Desmond Goulding
Retired Special Constable Local Gov Law Enforcement officer Australia

June 21, 2008

Rest in peace Trooper Blanton, we will handle the watch now. May God bless your family and the North Carolina Highway Patrol. You will never be forgotten. God Speed Trooper!!!!!!!

Trooper Bobby D. White
Alabama State Troopers-Montgomery

June 21, 2008

To the family of Officer Blanton I wish you well and will be praying for you all. As a father I can only imagine the pain that this family feels. I also wish his wife and baby well and offer any assistance i am able.

Michael Rich Captain
Cherokee Fire & Rescue

June 21, 2008

To Mrs. Blanton, Tye, extended family and Officer Blanton's fellow officers,
Even though we know none of you or knew him, we are so extremely sorry for the loss of such a fine man. Anyone that reads the memorials from the people that knew him comes to know what kind of person he was. They say alot! All of you will be in our thoughts and prayers and we will be praying for his son. Please know that many people such as myself, appreciate all law enforcement officers and what they do to keep us and our families safe.

Karen
NC citizen

June 21, 2008

Rest in Peace brother. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Police Officer Trae Laws
Hendersonville, NC Police Dept.

June 21, 2008

RIP brother.

Officer Almanzar
Fort Lauderdale PD

June 21, 2008

May God be with you in this trying times .My heart goes out to your family.

Retired Sergeant Morris R.Dunn
Florida Highway Patrol

June 21, 2008

Rest in Peace Brother...prayers to the family.

Officer D.M. Horton
Durham Police Dept.

June 21, 2008

RIP Brother

The Final Inspection

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

Police Officer
Henderson NV

June 21, 2008

Dear Blanton Family,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this. As we know the pain all to well. I must say when I heard the news of Trooper Blanton's passing it brought a flood of emotions back from not long ago. Just know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Shelly,Sam and Mason

Shelly Hardin
Wife of Sgt. James Heath Hardin EOW 01-11-07 , NC

June 21, 2008

Thank you Trooper Blanton for your service and sacrifice. Your family and the NCHP are in our prayers. Thank you for keeping the citizens of NC and safe. You will be missed by all.

R. Steward & K. Greenarch
Citizen of Cherokee/Whittier Community

June 21, 2008

I SEND MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND NORTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL REGARDING THE DEMISE OF TROOPER DAVID SHAWN BLANTON JR. I PRAY EVERYONE WHO KNEW THIS HONORABLE MAN WILL CONTINUE TO REMEMBER HIS BRAVERY, COURAGE, AND THE LEGACY IN WHICH HE LEFT.

TROOPER DAVID SHAWN BLANTON JR. YOUR SHIFT IS OVER NOW, WE WILL TAKE IT FROM HERE, REST IN PEACE, BROTHER...

DEPUTY SHERIFF JAMES E. BRADFORD JR.
BRADLEY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

June 21, 2008

I am a citizen of North Carolina and the presence of troopers of the North Carolina Highway Patrol insures our safety on our highways. I am saddened beyond words what Trooper Blanton did for the citizens of North Carolina last Tuesday night.

We will never know on this earth the total impact of what could have happened to other innocent citizens had Trooper Blanton not stopped the accused. My thoughts and prayers remain steadfast for his entire family. Heaven is surely a brighter place today with Trooper Blanton's presence.

Rick Yokeley
Winston-Salem, NC

June 21, 2008

My Brother in BLUE!!!, God has called you home,but you will never be forgotten for the job that you did..You will be greatly missed, we will see you again one day my brother! You are in a peaceful place now!! Your family will be in my prayers, and from all the officers from the Durham Police Department.....Rest In Peace!!

P.O.II K.G.Watt
Durham Police Department

June 21, 2008

10-42 Rest in peace. You will never be gotten.

J.T. Jones
15th NCSHP Student Trooper

June 21, 2008

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND ULTIMATE SACRIFICE!!! MAY YOU REST IN PEACE ON THOSE STREETS OF GOLD WITH THOSE GONE BEFORE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DISPATCHER GREA M HUFF
KY STATE POLICE POST 13 HAZARD

June 21, 2008

Hundreds of people lined the roads and streets today as Trooper Shawn Blanton came home. It was a sight I will never forget. Citizens stood in stunned, respectful silence as miles and miles of law enforcement vehicles escorted Trooper Blanton through the roads of Cherokee one last time in route to Thomas Cemetery. Some saluted, others waved flags, many wept silently. What an incredible tribute and show of support from law enforcement across our state and nation. I can’t even begin to estimate how many LEO were in the processional. I stood by the road for over 30 minutes as the processional passed at speedy clip; there were that many. We honor and thank you Trooper Blanton. And we also stood today to honor all of those who protect and serve us, and especially those who have given all. God Bless you all.

A Citizen
Cherokee, North Carolina

June 21, 2008

My lil' 10-50 buddy..... It seems still like a dream. I will forever miss your smile and those unexpected comments on each wreck scene. I can still remember the day you were in training and pulled a car in the EMS parking lot. Oh, how funny it was to see your training officer critique your every move. But you made him proud! Any everytime we stop to eat at Bojangles, I will continue to watch out for those ketchup packs that seemed to find my table. I am so sorry that I could be there to take care of you Tuesday night. It was my shift and my partner who took care of you. Maybe I swapped shifts for another reason that no one knew about... I'm just so sorry that I wasn't working. I'm so so so sorry. Your wife and child will forever be taken care of.... Rest in peace---

TClark
Haywood EMS/Family friend

June 21, 2008

OUR PRAYERS GO OUT TO TROOPER BLANTON'S FAMILY AND THE N.C.
HIGHWAY PATROL DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. MAY THE LORD KEEP ALL CLOSE IN HIS EMBRACE.

GOD BLESS YOU, BROTHER IN BLUE.

DEPUTY RUILO QUEZADA
SMITH COUNTY SHERIFF- TYLER, TX

June 21, 2008

To the family of Trooper Blanton-
May God give you the Peace that passes all understanding in this your time of sorrow.
My family holds your family daily in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Lawrence David Rogers, R.N.
Rev. David B. Rogers and wife Susan Rogers
Barrett A. Rogers
Matthew C. Rogers
Elizabeth A. Dillingham and children Michael, Maureen and Margaret Ann
Jessica M. Alexander and husband John Alexander
Lauren M. Coggins and husband N.C. State Trooper Shane Coggins and children Justin and Madelyn

Lawrence David Rogers, R.N.
father-in-law of a N.C. State Trooper

June 21, 2008

Thank you for making this a safer place to live. Again we are reminded of the danger that we face when we pull over these vehicles. I wish I could have been there with you that day. One day we will live in a place where our sidearms are no longer needed. I will see there and hope to shake your hand.

Officer
Tennessee

June 21, 2008

Well today there was attendance to your Memorial that was the largest anyone could ever remember. Just a tribute to the Honor in which you showed throughout you life. One day your Son will read all of these comments and I know he will take pride and Honor in knowing that His daddy was a American Hero that was at war against evil and taken away by a cowrard that is not even worthy to be mentioned here on this place of Honor. Again I am truly sorry you have been taken away. But you are safe and one day you will be with your loved ones and all of this pain we now have will be errased and nothing but Love and Joy shall acompany us all our days.We will do what we can for your wife and son as long as I have air in my body. This I promise to you. Your wife has every contact point for us and other things as well to help. We owe you that. You are missed my friend.

Trooper
Tennessee Highway Patrol

June 21, 2008