Dear Editor:

Our family wanted to thank the community for the support and kindness expressed after the death of my husband, Gary Shepherd.

I felt a great burden after Gary’s passing – how to honor his memory – a memorial equivalent to his amazing life. He loved LaGrange, the community that hired him and gave him the opportunity to serve its people. It was important to him to treat everyone with respect and responded to their needs with strength, fair-mindedness and insatiable wit. There are those who are educated, schooled in their trade – but like all fields or professionals, some have that “gift or instinct” that goes beyond their education. It is the “guts” of that person who takes charge and knows how to push beyond the rules and regulations, instinctively reacting outside the norm.

I soon realized that there are many angels in LaGrange and Atlanta. The support our family experienced was God-sent. Gary would never want to intrude, be a burden. With the talk of closing streets for the funeral service, I thought I would hear thunder in the skies … “Not on my behalf. Don’t inconvenience the public just for me.” It was the perfect memorial (thank you, Dr. Doug Decelle).

Our family has found a new side to our faith and the strength to move forward with out hearts full of joy knowing Gary’s life and friendship meant something to so many. I knew of his military service – he was a true patriot. I knew of his law enforcement career in Atlanta, LaGrange and the state of Georgia, but it was a blessing to hear how it affected so many others personally.

God bless you all for taking time out of your busy lives to honor this man – a husband, daddy, papa, pawpaw, brother, uncle, friend, chief and patriot. We will never forget you kindness.

Pam Shepherd

Wisteria Ridge Terrace, LaGrange