Chasing Shawn's memory

I spent the day trying to get family and friends of a slain state police trooper to talk to me about him.

Shawn Blanton was 24 and a new father when he was gunned down during a traffic stop last night. He loved sports. He was the first enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokees ever to become a N.C. State Highway Patrol trooper.

His 18-day-old son is still in the NICU because he was born seven weeks early.

People were reluctant to talk because I'm the press. They don't know whether I honestly want to pay tribute to a murdered officer or if I might just be out to catch them wailing with grief so I can get a good photo.

Our photographer, Steve Dixon, was with me for part of the day, and he said, "If my son was killed last night, I wouldn't talk to us."

Some people process grief best by talking about it and others need to turn inward to find strength. As as outsider, I can't push, no matter how much I want the story. It's a delicate balance, and respect for the people who are grieving is always in the forefront.

Everything about this story is tragic. I found myself being thankful as I talked to his father that I at least got to say goodbye to my son. I got to hold his hand and tell him how much I love him. I got to share his last moments with him.

Shawn's family is left to grieve without having said goodbye. I can't imagine how hard that must be. My heart goes out to them and my prayers are with them.