Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I worked in the same county as Shaft a few years back. He had one of a few K9's in that county at the time. While we didn't keep in touch after I left the area, I would often tell stories of him and his dog Bear - as recently as two weeks ago.

Shaft was the type of Trooper that you wanted to hear coming to back you up...he'd always arrive with a smile on his face and was more than happy to help. I can say with certainty that anyone who had the opportunity to work with him is a better Police Officer because of it.

Words cannot describe how big of a loss this is....it's never easy losing a brother in blue, but this one is a particularly hard pill to swallow.

Police Officer M.J. Van Dyke
Capitol Heights Police

May 24, 2011

My fallen Brother TFC Shaft Hunter

May God take you into his loving arms as one of Maryland's finest. Our prayers are that he stands watch over your wife and children. Enjoy your reunion with all the fine Maryland State Troopers that have entered heaven and I hope to join all of you in the future. God Bless.

Sgt. Ray Nizer
MSP Ret. 1986

May 24, 2011

R.I.P Shaft, you were my mentor many years ago and you were the reason I am where I am today. I am in such a lost for this sad news. You are gone but will never be forgotten. Semper Fidelis, I will see you at the gates, love you brother.

Officer St.Clair

May 24, 2011

RIP brother. My heart aches for your children.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi
York Regional Police

May 24, 2011

Rest in peace, Trooper Hunter.

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

May 24, 2011

Semper Fi brother. Your family is in my thoughts. Be at peace knowing your MSP family is here for them. You are one of Maryland's Finest. The only solace is knowing you were doing what you loved.

TFC. Karatzas (Ret.)
Maryland State Ploice

May 24, 2011

May you rest in peace after having served those around you. My thoughts are with you, your family, fellow officers and friends.

Reserve Officer Gary Krystof
Los Angeles Police Department

May 24, 2011

To the family of Trooper Hunter,

My deepest condolences. May God watch over you & give you strength during this most difficult time. My thoughts & prayers are with you.

Officer Douglas Myers
California Highway Patrol

May 24, 2011

Rest in peace brother. I hope in time your family and agency finds peace in your passing.

Enjoy patrol on the streets of heaven.

Police Officer II Dan Vaquero
San Diego Police Department

May 24, 2011

My deepest condolences to the family, friends, and brothers & sisters of the Maryland State Police for their loss of TFC Shaft Hunter.

My thoughts and prayers are with TFC Shaft Hunter and all of you during this difficult time. Although it is a tragic loss to such a wonderful family, community and law enforcement, his memory and service will live on.

God has welcomed you home Shaft; Rest in peace my brother.

Captain Laura Kenyon
City of Fairfax Police Department

May 24, 2011

Shaft,
Wow, I don't know what to say! I was working day shift Saturday morning when I heard the news and just couldn't grasp what I had heard. Its been 11 years since the academy and I always looked up to you through the happy times, hard times, and sad time, but you were the keystone of our class that held us together. I will never forget our converstations on friday afternoons, when I would give you a ride on my way home from to the academy to BWI airport.
I will never forget the day when Mr. Stein came into our class and asked us about the food and how it was from the academy kitchen and several members of our class complained about the food. Later you stood up and told us to take it in and not complain about the food. Now it wasn't said word for word like that, but you drove the point home and there was never another complaint about the food.
Having the privilege and honor to have known you will be with me for the rest of my life and I am sure for many others that you have had contact with both on and off the job.
Again, I and many others are still in shock, but I can say you have made me and many others stronger and better people.
Shaft I can not thank you enough, I know that this is a better place due to your service to the State Of MD and the USMC.
God bless you and keep watch on us!

MSP 114th Academy Class Mate
Classmate 114th academy class

May 24, 2011

Rest easy Brother, we have the watch.

Patrolman
Chester Police Department

May 23, 2011

Lord please be with the family of this Officer as they go through these hard times. Rest easy my Brother in Law, your watch on this earth is over.......

Sgt. John L. Gulledge (Ret.)
Escambia County FL. Sheriffs Office

May 23, 2011

TFC you are a hero, and God needed another Warrior for his Army Against Evil. I pray that your family and fellow troopers and friends will have peace in the months and years to follow. No words can express your loss. All anyone can say is that Shaft was a very great man, father, husband and officer. He died a hero. He died a Marine. Rest in Peace Brother.

Deputy Richard Crites
Stone County, Missouri Sheriff's Office

May 23, 2011

May God Bless you and your family.

M/Cpl Paul D. Kuntzi
Dover Police Motor Unit

May 23, 2011

My thoughts and prayers are with those friends and family members that are left behind and cannot follow. Rest in peace my brother in blue...we will take it from here.

Shaft, it was an honor to serve with you, alongside of you....I will miss you quick wit and you always having a smile on your face. You are an honor to the Maryland State Police and to your family. Anyone who knew you or even associated with you in any small way was better for it. You will be greatly missed.

PFC Adam F Laser
Westminster City Police Department

May 23, 2011

My condolences to TFC Hunter's family and friends. Thank you Sir, for your service as a Marine and Trooper. May you rest easy.

FAM, BAL FO
Federal Air Marshal Service

May 23, 2011

RIP Shaft!! You were a great trooper!! I will never forget our training in Atlantic City! You are truely the man, the myth, and a legend in my book!!

Officer R. Nitz/ TFC (ret) R. Nitz
Perryville Police Department, Perryville, MD

May 23, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Trooper Hunter today and always.. Rest in Peace Sir!

Joyce
Sister of Ofc. John P Harris EOW 8/19/1994

May 23, 2011

Rest in peace brother and thank you for your service. God will shelter you from above and we will continue the watch for you and your family. May God give your wife and children the strength and ability to hold on during this sad and tragic event. We love u and will miss you brother, in Jesus name and forever more, AMEN!!!!!

TROOPER BOBBY D WHITE
Alabama Department of Public Safety

May 23, 2011

My thoughts are with you and your family. Your MSP family will never forget. God Speed...

Corporal Curley
Maryland State Police

May 23, 2011

God Speed brother. May he bless your family in these trying times. Thank you for keeping the good fight, we will overcome.

MPO TG VINCENT
Asheboro Police NC

May 23, 2011

For Trooper First Class Shaft S. Hunter:

The law officer on patrol has to face numerous threats in the course of the assigned shift. Each day the risks are present and no amount of training or caution guarantees us success in any endeavor. Sometimes, fate has a way of stepping-in. We regret that our brother Shaft would lose his life in the course
of his serving others.

We pray for Shaft's family, friends, co-workers and all who care about him. May they be ready to reach-out to one another in the days ahead.

We are proud to render Trooper Shaft Hunter, a soldier-of-the-law, a final salute.

Cpl. Ralph D. Fiorenza (Ret.)
Pennsylvania State Police

May 23, 2011

RIP Trooper Hunter. While I never meet him, I a greatful for all of the men & women who wear the uniform of a law enforcement agency in Maryland.

Aaron Hennessy
Maryland resident

May 23, 2011

God's peace and speed Trooper Hunter. Thank you for your years of brave, dedicated service. RIP brother.

P/O R. Popelka #7903
Chicago PD

May 23, 2011