[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 13214]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING TROOPER DAVID SHAWN BLANTON, JR.

  Mr. BURR. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of North 
Carolina State Trooper David Shawn Blanton, Jr., who was tragically 
killed on June 18 during a routine traffic stop near Canton, NC. David 
is the 59th North Carolina State Trooper to have been killed in the 
line of duty.
  David was only 24 years old and was a 2-year veteran of the North 
Carolina Highway Patrol. He was a native of Sylva, NC, and a 2002 
graduate of Smoky Mountain High School where he was a football and 
wrestling star.
  We are all grateful for David's dedication to protecting the citizens 
of North Carolina. He lived in Cherokee with his wife Michaela, who had 
just given birth to their son Tye 2 weeks ago.
  David was a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian Tribe 
and the first member of that tribe to serve with the Highway Patrol. In 
addition to being a State trooper, David volunteered as the Junior 
Varsity softball coach at Smoky Mountain High School.
  Along with his wife Michaela and son Tye, David is survived by his 
father, David S. Blanton, Sr., mother, Jennifer Blanton, and younger 
brother, Jesse Blanton.
  David's friends, family, fellow troopers, and the people of North 
Carolina are mourning this very tragic loss.
  I know there are no words I can offer to help comfort Michaela and 
other members of the Blanton family, but I hope my colleagues in the 
Senate will join me in keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.
  David gave his life in service to our State, and this ultimate 
sacrifice should never be forgotten.
  I send my deepest condolences to all who had the privilege of knowing 
this young man who gave his life in service to our State.

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