[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13195]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE MEMORY OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE TROOPER DAVID SHAWN 
                              BLANTON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HEATH SHULER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2008

  Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor 
the memory of North Carolina State Trooper David Shawn Blanton, Jr. 
Trooper Blanton was a 2-year veteran of the North Carolina State Patrol 
and a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
  While performing a traffic stop in Canton, NC, on the evening of June 
17th, 2008, Trooper Blanton was shot twice and killed in the line of 
duty. He was 24 years old.
  Trooper Blanton gave the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect our 
community. He showed true courage through his determination to uphold 
the law and keep our highways safe. He leaves behind his wife and one 
child. I offer my sincere condolences to them and the rest of his 
family and friends. They are in my thoughts and prayers.
  I would also like to offer my gratitude to the law enforcement 
officers of the Haywood County Sheriffs Office and the Canton Police 
Department who risked their lives to apprehend the man who shot Trooper 
Blanton and bring him to justice.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing remorse 
at to the passing of Trooper David Shawn Blanton, Jr. Trooper Blantons' 
life was an example of service for all of us to follow. I am grateful 
to his fellow State Troopers and all of North Carolina's law 
enforcement community for their dedication to keeping our communities 
safe every day.

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