I decided to wait until Officer Noah Shahnavaz was laid to rest before writing this.  He was given full honors provided to any law enforcement officer that died in the line of duty.  The local media covered his funeral and burial professionally and thoroughly, which they should.

Officer Shahnavaz has many Fishers connections.  He is a graduate of Fishers High School.  His parents live in Fishers.  His funeral was held in Fishers.

I did not know Officer Shahnavaz, nor do I know any member of his family.  But I have followed the excellent news coverage by the local media and feel I know him just a bit.  He volunteered to serve in the Armed Forces, and once the tour with the military was over, he graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.  He was about a month short of his first year with the Elwood Police Department when a man opened fire on the officer before there was any chance for Officer Shahnavaz to defend himself.

His story says one thing to me – he cared about his country and community.  He served both well.

This is a terrible tragedy for Elwood, Fishers and Officer Shahnavaz’s family.

Much has been said and written about the man charged in Officer Shahnavaz’s death.  I know we have serious problems in our criminal justice system and do not pretend to have the answers.  I would hope those expert in criminal justice continue to study the issues and offer solutions.

There is another aspect of this I want to express, as a Fishers resident for over 30 years.  We saw the professionalism and courage of our local police officers.

As the suspect in Officer Shahnavaz’s shooting was being pursued, his vehicle was stopped in Fishers.  I won’t get into the details I have heard, let’s just say this was not an easy maneuver.

Then think about what was going through the minds of the Fishers officers as they moved-in to apprehend the suspect.  This man allegedly killed one police officer with a powerful firearm.  I have no doubt Fishers police personnel were as well-protected as possible, but that must have been the thought they all had approaching this suspect.

Yet, Fishers Police apprehended the suspect, alive, without injury.  That took some professional police work.

Officer Shanavaz’s grandmother, in speaking at his funeral, asked something important of us all.  She does not want his memory to fade.

I do know there are people in high places around Fishers working on a way to properly remember Officer Shahnavaz.  I do believe it will be done, I am just not certain how.  I suspect those in Elwood and others in Indiana are thinking the same thing.

When a man such as Noah Shahnavaz is lost in the line of duty, the pain and hurt are real.  Keeping his memory with us in a respectful way just might be the best thing to do.