Widow Advocates for Fallen Deputy's Recognition in State Memorial

Deputy Sheriff Daryl Wayne Shuey, Pierce County Sheriff and State of Washington SealPhoto byLaw Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast

Pierce County, WA - Deputy Daryl Wayne Shuey, a dedicated member of the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, tragically lost his life in the line of duty on November 10, 2020, succumbing to a heart attack while on patrol at 6:00 am. Shuey, who served the Sheriff's Department for 26 years, was found unresponsive next to his patrol vehicle while involved in the disposal of heavy items related to a prior case. Despite efforts at the MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital, he passed away at 7:00 am, leaving behind his wife, two children, mother, and two brothers.

Karen Shuey, the grieving widow, has expressed her dismay at the perceived neglect by the state, which has omitted Deputy Shuey's name from the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial. In an emotional reflection on her husband's death, she emphasizes the profound impact on her family and a sense of injustice surrounding the exclusion.

Adding to Karen Shuey's distress is the absence of Deputy Shuey's name from the state memorial, despite national recognition that includes engraving his name on the Fallen Officer Memorial in Spokane and inclusion on the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. The Department of Justice, under the Hometown Heroes Act, has recognized Deputy Shuey's line-of-duty death, qualifying his family for federal death benefits.

However, the nonprofit organization Behind the Badge, responsible for adding names to the state memorial, adheres to specific criteria. While heart attacks can be considered line-of-duty deaths if occurring during stressful or strenuous non-routine activities, Karen Shuey contests the inconsistency in applying these criteria, particularly in her husband's case.

Despite receiving national acknowledgment, including his name on memorials in other states, Deputy Shuey's name remains absent from the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial in Olympia, prompting a growing call for change.

In a recent procession held almost three years after Deputy Shuey's passing, Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer expressed determination to fight for the honors and respect that Shuey deserves. Sheriff Troyer stated, "I’m glad that we’re all here and we’re not wearing masks, and we’re doing this right."

Karen Shuey, having witnessed her late husband's name engraved on memorials outside the state, continues to advocate for recognition within Washington. The Washington State Fraternal Order of Police (WAFOP) has echoed her concerns, pushing for legislative changes to ensure that officers recognized nationally also receive the honor they deserve within their home state. The plea for uniformity and fairness in acknowledging the sacrifice of officers like Deputy Daryl Wayne Shuey resonates through the call for the amendment of state law, turning "Deputy Sheriff Died, State Ignores The Family" into a poignant and ongoing rallying cry for justice in recognizing those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

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Attributions

Officer Down Memorial Page

KING 5

COPS Foundation

FOP