Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I worked with Shaft at the Waterloo Barracks in 2004& 2005, he was an awesome Trooper and an awesome guy. He was really funny and a great role model for the less experienced troopers such as myself. We will always miss you Shaft and will always be alive in our hearts. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Semper Fi

Josh Kerns
Maryland State Police

May 22, 2011

My wife and I want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with Trooper Hunter's family, friends, co-workers, and agency. Rest In Peace Trooper Hunter, we'll carry on for you.

Sergeant Mike Allen
California Highway Patrol

May 22, 2011

Shaft,
I will remember this day forever. I got the phone call at 4:45 am waking me up telling me a trooper had died in a crash and I needed to come to work. When I asked who it was the duty officer said Trooper Shaft Hunter. I felt sick to my stomach. I thought "I know him and we went through 6 months of misery together."
Since day 1 in our academy it was obvious you were a true leader. You took control and motivated of our class and became our class president. We all had great times and bad times together. That is where I learned the word "devil dog" and I can still hear that "Marine Corp Bark" you used to let out all the time.
One of the many stories I remember is you getting your clock cleaned when you were boxing Fornoff. Later, you walked out the instrctor door in the classroom when Wiz wanted to see you. I remember saying if Shaft walked out the instructor door something definetely is wrong with him since you were so squared away. That was confirmed when you went to the hospital and found out you had a concussion.
It's crazy to think I will never see or talk to you again. I will miss seeing and talking to you at the State House. It's an honor for me to have known you and call you a friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to the rest of your friends and family.
Rest in peace and thanks for your service.

Corporal Jamie Mastronardi
Maryland State Police (friend and academy classmate)

May 22, 2011

Rest in peace Trooper Hunter, your dedication and service will never be forgotten. God bless you and your family.

Trooper
New Jersey State Police

May 22, 2011

My thoughts and prayers go out to Trooper Hunter, his family, friends and the entire Maryland State Police. Thank you for your service Trooper Hunter. We've got the watch from here.

Sergeant
Fredericksburg Police Dept. (VA)

May 22, 2011

To my K9 brother. Shaft, you were a wonderful person and officer to work beside. We had a lot of good and memorable times. A lot of laughs were shared during the time you worked in Barrack G. Your smile, personality, and work ethic were addictive. You will be missed more than you will ever know. Thank you for always having my back when I needed you. Your family, friends, and coworkers will be in my thoughts and prayers. You were one of a kind, and no one wil ever take your place.

Cpl. Sherri Warner and K9 DEEK

Cpl. Sherri Warner
Carroll County Sheriff's Office

May 22, 2011

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. My condolences to your family, friends and coworkers of the Maryland State Police. May you rest in peace.

Off. William F. Shields
Federal Reserve Police/Philadelphia - Retired/Haverford Police

May 22, 2011

We have lost another member of our family. We have another angel watching over us. My sincere condolences to Tfc. Hunter's family, friends, and the Maryland State Police. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. RIP Tfc. Hunter.

Debbie Saunders
Howard County Police Department

May 22, 2011

May a host of Angels speed this fine young hero to GLORY !!!
We can NEVER pay a LEO enough, thier worth can not be measured ! My beloved Greg's end of watch was 1988, and each time I hear of another fallen officer, the heartache springs anew !!

Widow of Fallen Officer
APB

May 22, 2011

My prayers are for you and your loved ones. Thank you for all your years of dedicated service. Rest in peace Brother. Your gone, but not forgotten.

PFC R. Kibler
Anne Arundel County Police - Southern District

May 22, 2011

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

May 22, 2011

We lost another brother in blue, and we are all a bit worse off then we were prior. To Trooper Hunter, you are a hero and we will keep you in our thoughts. We have the watch from here!

Sgt. Wayne L. Trapp
Frederick Police Department

May 22, 2011

Rest in peace, our brother. Prayers for your family.

DFC Rick Kemmerer
Washington County Sheriff's Office

May 22, 2011

Trooper First Class Hunter, thank you for your service to America during your six years in the Marines and thank you for your service to the state of Maryland, working hard to keep our great state safe. May you rest in peace and God bless you, your family, and friends.

BH
Maryland Citizen

May 22, 2011

My condolences to the family, friends and co workers of Trooper Hunter and the Maryland State Police . My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. May you take some comfort in knowing that the entire law enforcement community grieves with you. May you rest in peace.

May the children of Trooper Hunter know that their Dad is a HERO who we will never forget and will forever be in his debt.


"It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived."

Lt. John Kelly
Nassau County,N.Y. Police Dept.

May 22, 2011

Rest in peace Troop'....my thoughts are with your family, friends, and the members of the RMPD during this most difficult and tragic time.

Lt. Joseph Ward, Ret.
Jackson, NJ PD

May 22, 2011

R.I.P. brother Shaft Hunter!!!

Husker Street Officer
Fellow Brother

May 22, 2011

God Bless Trooper Hunter, his family and friends. I pray that our heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom. Abraham Lincoln

Officer Jeffrey Blose
Lake Alfred Police Department

May 22, 2011

Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

May 22, 2011

Rest in peace! It was a Job/ Career I loved with MSP and I imagine he felt the same. God will take over now so rest easy. My condolence to your family and more importantly your Children.

TFC Derrick Thomas/ U.S Air Marshal Derr
MSP(Former 8yrs)/ Currently Federal Air Marshal

May 22, 2011

RIP, Troop.

Trooper
NYSP SP Montgomery

May 22, 2011

Avenue of the Fallen

Standing at attention in their class A uniforms, badges gleaming and shoes like glass, are your brothers and sisters of Law Enforcement. All of whom have previously paid the ultimate price.
Today, like many others, they welcome you to this wonderful place. As you march down the Avenue of the Fallen, all eyes focus on you as if to say its ok youre with your eternal partners. A salute is followed and a tear can be seen on so many faces.
Welcome, you served well.
Now come join us in the ranks, another is coming home.

A brother law enforcement officer
12-25-2010

Sheriff Jim Weaver (Ret.) LAPD (Ret.)
Jerome County, Idaho (Ret.)

May 22, 2011

Dearest Brother, Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the citizens of Maryland. We will always remember your service. May God watch over your family and keep them safe until they join you in the Great Abode above. We will keep you and your loved ones in our prayers.

Lt. Ret. W. L. "Chip" Smith
Maryland State Police

May 22, 2011

Rest in peace Trooper Hunter!
You will not be forgotten!
FACEBOOK salutes you!

Willie Bell Hopewell VA!
Friend Of All Law Enforcement Officers!

May 22, 2011

My thoughts go out to Trooper Hunter's family and friends... my prayers are with you and the entire Waterloo barracks. RIP Trooper Shaft, thank you for your service to Maryland and the United States!

Nikki Jomidad (dispatcher #33)
Harford County 911

May 22, 2011