Widow of fallen Concord officer pays it forward ahead of ‘law enforcement block party’

CONCORD, N.C. — The wife of a local police officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty is helping keep his memory alive with an act of generosity to others.

Local businesses in downtown Kannapolis are getting ready for what they’re calling a “Law Enforcement Officer Block Party” on Saturday, so Haylee Shuping donated 100 “pay-it-forwards” to police officers, in honor of her husband, Jason Shuping.

Kyle Lingafelt is the co-owner of Old Armor Brewery. On Saturday, he and his team will release the “Blue Line” beer in support of police officers. They’ll donate the proceeds to local police departments.

Lingafelt is also the co-owner of the Local Patriot Roasting Company just a few doors down from the brewery. The coffee shop was one of Jason Shuping’s favorites -- they even have a drink called “The Shuping.”

When Haylee Shuping heard about the block party, she donated enough money to cover 100 coffees for officers in honor of her husband, who died in December.

Lingafelt said he’s moved by her generosity.

“If you’re a veteran or a first responder, you come in and your drink or your coffee is already covered,” he told Channel 9. “By her coming in it caught us completely off guard. It’s just amazing -- the type of person she is.”

The block party starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday and the beer release will take place at 1 p.m.

>> You can find more information here.

It’s just the latest way Jason Shuping’s sacrifice for his city is staying alive. All Concord police cars now also have a new magnet on them with a thin blue line and Shuping’s name, unit number and end of watch date.

The city also created the “Concord Police Foundation” to provide support to officers and their families. And the Concord Police Department plans to put up a fallen officer memorial outside department headquarters.

Shuping died on Dec. 16, 2020 in a shootout off Bruton Smith Boulevard. Police said a man tried to carjack a woman and then began shooting when Shuping, fellow officer Kaleb Robinson and an Alcohol Law Enforcement officer approached him.

That suspect died in the shooting.

Concord community honors fallen officer

Cox Media Group