CONCORD, N.C. — The City of Concord held a dedication ceremony for a new-fallen police memorial. It comes on the one-year anniversary of Officer Jason Shuping's death in the line of duty.
City Council approved a $100,000 budget amendment on Feb. 11 for the design, construction, and installation of the new memorial to honor all of the city's fallen law enforcement officers. The new memorial offers a place for current and former law enforcement, their families, and the community to remember, reflect upon, and honor those who have sacrificed their lives in service to their community, and those who continue to serve.
"A constant reminder of the sacrifices that police officers all across this country are making," Concord police officer Edward Watkins said. "In spite of what some may believe as a dishonorable profession, it's one of the most honorable professions in the world. Anybody who would give up their life for the community, for people they don't even know is a special person."
Shuping, 23-year-old Officer Kaleb Robinson and an agent with North Carolina's Alcohol Law Enforcement Division were responding to a carjacking in December 2020 when they located the suspect at the Sonic restaurant on Gateway Lane.
As they approached the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Jeremy Maurice Daniels, he began shooting.
Both Shuping and Robinson were hit by gunfire. When backup arrived, there was a shootout where Daniels was shot and killed.
The ceremony, along with a candlelight vigil, was held at the Concord Police Department headquarters at 5 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
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