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Incident
Officer Shannon Stephenson was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow officer who mistook him for an armed suspect at a disturbance call. Officer Stephenson had served with the Gainesville Police Department for 5 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 1-year-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Stephenson gave the Gainesville Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gainesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Stephenson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Gainesville Police Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Shannon is one of 314 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.2% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Shannon is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Shannon is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1980, 2 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 56th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 1980, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1980, 86 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 46th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Shannon was 28. Of the 293 lost to accidents in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 35. Shannon had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Shannon was 28. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Shannon had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Shannon was 28. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Shannon had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.3% of these deaths in FL; February holds the most, 10.5%. Sundays: 13.4%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Gainesville Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.2% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Gainesville Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Shannon among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Gainesville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
