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Flags adorn Mooresville Town Hall one year after beloved officer killed in line of duty

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — It’s a sad day in Mooresville as the community remembers the life of a beloved police officer.

Monday marks one year since Officer Jordan Sheldon was killed while serving the town he loved.

“It was devastating,” said Jason Gordon, resident. “I mean, it devastated the whole entire community.”

123 American flags were placed on the lawn beside Mooresville Town Hall on Main Street to pay homage to Sheldon’s badge number.

“I know it’s got to be extremely difficult for these guys to see these flags, because it’s going to take them right back to that moment,” said Jackie Rummage, a resident.

The 32-year-old K-9 officer was shot and killed during a traffic stop on May 4 of last year.

The tragedy was felt by thousands of people in the community. Many described the fallen officer as a “good cop” who was great with people.

In the age of social distancing, people were asked to pay their respects in smaller numbers.

“He will never be forgotten,” said Wendy, a resident. “He will never be forgotten.”

There is a scholarship named in Sheldon’s honor to help students complete law enforcement training. The first recipient was announced Sunday.

Officer Jordan Sheldon Memorial scholarship reaches $100,000

The Mitchell Community College Foundation and Endowment for Excellence announced on Monday, May 4 that the Officer Jordan Sheldon Memorial Scholarship endowment reached $100,000 in gifts and pledges.

The support from community members and local organizations grew the endowment from $33,000 to $100,000 in less than two weeks, providing sustained and substantial support for current and future Mitchell Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) students.

A generous donation from Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation helped the endowed scholarship “cross the finish line,” reaching its $100,000 goal on the anniversary of Officer Jordan Sheldon’s passing.

“The Checkered Flag Foundation is excited to partner with Mitchell Community College and support the necessary education of their Basic Law Enforcement Training Cadets,” said NASCAR driver and Checkered Flag Foundation president, Brad Keselowski. “This scholarship will surely honor the memory of Officer Sheldon and the legacy he left behind. We are truly grateful to be a part of this amazing opportunity.”

“We are deeply humbled by Mr. Keselowski’s and the Checkered Flag Foundation’s generosity,” said James Hogan, the college’s vice president for advancement. “This has been a true community effort, and our community will benefit from this investment in training future law enforcement professionals for generations to come.”

The Officer Jordan Sheldon Memorial scholarship will benefit multiple cadets in Mitchell’s BLET program. Created in memory of fallen Mooresville Police Department Officer Jordan Sheldon, the scholarship supports the next generation of law enforcement professionals as they receive training.

Community members still can donate to the scholarship endowment online at mitchellcc.edu/Sheldon, or by mailing a check to the Mitchell Community College Foundation, 500 W. Broad St., Statesville, NC 28677. Please indicate the gift is for the Officer Jordan Sheldon Scholarship endowment in the memo line.

Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation honors and assists those who sacrifice greatly for our country. For more information on the Checkered Flag Foundation, please visit checkeredflagfoundation.org, @BKCFF on Twitter, @CheckeredFlagFoundation on Instagram and Facebook.

The Mitchell Community College Foundation and Endowment for Excellence is the college’s primary fundraising operation, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for scholarships, faculty and staff support, and programs each year. To learn more about how you can support the Foundation’s efforts, visit mitchellcc.edu/giving.