CHESAPEAKE
Detective Jarrod Shivers had pulled over a Jeep for running a red light and quickly knew something was wrong – the registration was for an older car, but it still smelled new.
A records check proved the car was stolen. It was a “eureka!” moment that led to the collapse of a car-theft operation stretching from Hampton Roads to Richmond, and earned Shivers a 2002 Virginia State Police award.
Shivers was shot and killed Thursday night in South Norfolk as he was at the head of a group of officers trying to serve a narcotics search warrant. The portrait that emerged of him Friday was of a dedicated police officer and committed family man.
“He went beyond the call for a uniformed patrol officer,” said Tommy Galbreath, 61, a retired Chesapeake detective who nominated Shivers for the award. “He was a real go-getter.”
Linda Fuller, who lives across the street from the Shiverses’ home, described the slain officer as a dedicated father, whom she often watched walking his children to the bus stop.
Silhouetted in the driveway of his Clearfield home Friday evening, friend and neighbor Michael Packert leaned against his white Ford pickup.
“I don’t want to go inside and think about it,” he said. “That’s why I’m out here.”
Packert, 41, lives with his family around the corner from Shivers’ wife, Nicole, and their three children, Brittnie, Ashleigh and Landon.
“When he was at work, he was at work; when he was with his family, he was with his family,” Packert said. “He wasn’t a guy who wasted time; when he was doing something, he was into it.”
A Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner, Shivers’ idea of a great day off was a trip to the Outer Banks with his wife, Packert said.
As much as he loved his family, Shivers also loved his job as a detective and police work in general, Packert said.
Before returning home from work – often at 1 or 2 in the morning – Shivers would take a quick spin around the neighborhood to make sure everything was OK.
“He would do anything for you,” Packert said.
Shivers was born on March 30, 1973, in El Paso, Texas. He was a 1992 graduate of East High School in West Chester, Pa. In 2006, he received a bachelor’s degree from Saint Leo University, according to a brief biography released by Chesapeake police.
From August 1992 to January 2000, Shivers served in the Navy. His assignments included the Guadalcanal, the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt and Oceana Naval Air Station, said Mike McLellan, a spokesman for Navy Personnel Command.
During his service, Shivers earned the Navy achievement medal, two good conduct awards, the Southwest Asia service medal for service in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, the armed forces expeditionary medal and a Navy unit commendation.
Shivers joined the Chesapeake Police Department on Jan. 31, 2000. He was assigned to the Special Weapons and Tactics Team on Sept. 9, 2005. He was the recipient of the Chief’s Award of Recognition, the Drug Enforcement Incentive Award, 4 Star Performer Awards and several letters of recognition.
The Fraternal Order of Police lodge in Chesapeake was packed with Shivers’ colleagues Friday night, gathering to mourn.
One of them paused on his way in and, choked with emotion, reflected on the loss of a good friend.
“He was a family man – an incredible father, an incredible police officer,” said Officer T.J. Myers. “He dedicated his life to the city; he was amazing.”
Staff writer Steve Stone contributed to this story.
Robert McCabe, (757) 222-5217, robert.mccabe@pilotonline.com
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Police are at "war" 24-7.
The minute they put on their uniform and step out the front door, police officers are at war. They are despised because they make up follow the rules, they are hated when they give us citations, and they are called racists and haters when they enforce the law.
Detective J. Shivers was murdered while performing his duty, enforcing the laws our society has put in place to protect our families and community and we should remember that the next time we see an officer on the street. It sickens me that so many members or our society hate the police, and teach their children to fear them. Thank God for Shivers and all persons who protect us and put their lives on the line for absolute strangers. Please donate to the family. They will need our support.
The Thin Blue Line
Hampton Roads it is now time to thicken that blue line. Make a stand against crime in our area. Tell the thugs they don't own our streets. If they try to sell drugs to our kids report their activity to the police. If they harm or kill the men and women comitted to protect us perform your civic duty to make sure they rot behind iron bars!
He was a great guy
I had the pleasure of doing several citizen ride alongs with Officer Shivers. He was very open about his love for his family and his job. My prayers go out to his family and to the fine men and women of the Chesapeake Police Department. Thank You for all you do to make our city a better place to live.
Fallen Police Officer
mols4u totally said everything I feel and said it very well. All too often we don't think about the sacrifices many folks like police officers and fire fighters make for our safety. Thank you all sincerely and I send my thougths and prayers to the Shivers family.
Policeman
Being a policeman is a tougher job than most citizens can imagine.
Without them, our lives would be as miserable as those in Iraq or wherever lawlessness exists.
God bless Cops.
Home invasion?
The suspect stated in an TV interview that he thought there was a home invasion and that the detective never announced who he was...simply kicked in the door and thus he opened fire on the what he thought was an intruder...this is going to be a very interesting case. I can't imagine a law officer not announcing who he was at the door. The suspect must be confused.
Thank You
To all men like Det.Shivers, who put their life on the line so that we have freedom and a good quality of life. May God Bless this family in their never ending sorrow.
SEVERE PUNISHMENT is in order.
I do hope that justice is served ICE cold in this matter. How heartless to take this father and husband from his family.
So Sorry for the Loss
It is a sad day when a Police Officer dies in the line of duty. May he be with God.
I also hope that the total truth is revealed by the Police Dept. as to all of the circumstances surrounding this tragic death of a public servant.
My Condolences
My prayers are with the family at this time. I was very shocked to see Det. Shivers photograph. Although I did not know him personally, we attended several criminal justice classes together at St. Leo University. The family and community may have lost a star, but the heavens have gained an angel. God bless!
So Sorry
It deeply saddens me to read this story. As a wife of a military member, I can understand the difficulties these fine Americans have to deal with on a daily basis. We all should be greatful for their dedicated service to our country. They too will not be forgotten. My heart is with the family.
Sorry
Sorry for the family, and coworkers loss. We all lost a true HERO!!
A man to be honored
In many ways, this incident is one more example of how being a police officer is just as risky and dangerous as being in combat on a battlefield. This man deserves every honor to be given as he's laid to rest. Though I never knew him, it still hits close to home since I have a close relative working in narcotics enforcement in Florida.
Thank You
Like the men and women serving their country overseas,I want to say thank you to all of you men and women in Blue, who put yourselves in harm's way to fight for our freedom. Freedom to walk down the streets of our neighborhoods and feel safe from the danger of violence,drug dealing and other crimes.
I am truly grateful for Det.Shivers's service.
My condolences to his wife and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I also want to extend my condolences to his friends and fellow Officers. I am so very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. ~ M.Lunsford [wife of fellow CPD Officer.,Ret.]
Our hearts go out to the family.
Our community is greatly sorry for the loss of one of our own. We share in the sadness with the family and with the other officers that had to witness the tragic loss.
Thank you to the officers who put there life on the line every day and every single night while we sleep. Thank you to the family who has given up so much to our families.
Thank you,
M.L.
South Norfolk Civic League
A glorious man.
God bless Shivers and all those who put their lives on the line so we can live free. We need to stand behind and support our officers (all cities) as there are too many among us who'd rather see them fail.
thoughts
Thoughts are with the family at this time.
Thank you for your service. Rest in Peace.
Condolences
I am so sorry for your loss. This community lost a wonderful person, father and husband. We will definitely keep the family in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you Detective for giving your all to protect us; we are deeply grieved that it cost you your life. God Bless.
Thank you
Each day we live our lives and take for granted that we have men and women who choose to protect us. They put themselves in harms way to insure that we live safely. We don't know them personally, but they are there, protecting us everyday. I am thankful for their service. We should thank our armed service members, local and state police officers, emergency response personnel and fire department personnel every chance we have, while they are here. Let them know that their job, their selfless commitment to protecting the innocent and protecting our freedom, doesn't go unnoticed.
God bless this officer and his family.
a hero
Prayers and all my love to the officer's family. He went to work every day trying to make the world a better place to live. Words can't ease the pain and lost his children will face. I hope they find comfort in knowing he was a hero who died protecting others.
God Bless,