GPD Honors Officer Who Was Killed By Friendly Fire in 1980

Updated June 16 | GPD posted a link on their Facebook page to Stephenson's memorial post on the Officer Down Memorial webpage, acknowledging that he was killed by another officer in a friendly fire incident.

For this week of May, in honor of National Police Week, the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) has been posting pictures in remembrance of officers who've been killed while on the job. 

GPD said on their Facebook account, “We will be sharing their images, stories, and memories to honor their bravery, dedication, and the sacrifices they made to protect our community.”

Today, GPD posted a picture in remembrance of Officer Shannon Ray Stephenson. GPD said in their post, “Officer Stephenson was killed after he responded to aid other officers under fire. Officer Stephenson made the ultimate sacrifice of giving his life while attempting to protect the lives of other officers and the citizens of Gainesville.”

GPD neglected to mention in their original post that Stephenson was accidentally shot and killed by one of his fellow GPD officers. 

GPD has a webpage dedicated to fallen officers where it is also not mentioned that Stephenson was killed by friendly-fire.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, “Officer Shannon Stephenson was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow officer who mistook him for an armed suspect at a disturbance call.”

The National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund states the disturbance was a burglary.

Stephenson was employed as a GPD officer for five years before one of his colleagues killed him by accident. He was survived by his wife and one-year-old daughter.