Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Pima Police Chief Diane Cauthen places an encased, folded American Flag during the ceremony for Pima Sgt. Sandra Shotwell at the Pima Cemetery on Friday.
By Jon Johnson
PIMA – The town of Pima said goodbye to one of its finest on Friday as Pima Police Sgt. Sandra Joy Shotwell, 53, was given her last call.
Sgt. Shotwell was found deceased in her residence Thursday, Sept. 12. On Friday, Sept. 20, Sgt. Shotwell was given a last call with full honors at the Pima Cemetery, which followed a celebration of her life conducted by Dr. Phillip Tutor at the New Life City Church.
Jon Johnson Video/Gila Herald
Her funeral procession included numerous first responders, including the Pima, Thatcher, and Safford police departments, Graham and Greenlee sheriff’s offices, paramedics, firefighters, and more. As the processional made its way to the Pima Cemetery, members of the Pima varsity football team stood at attention along the side of the road in their uniforms as a show of respect for the fallen officer.
The processional also passed by the Safford Fire Department’s ladder truck which was parked at the Graham County Electric Cooperative and was flying an enormous American Flag.
At the cemetery, Sgt. Shotwell was given a 21-gun salute as Pima Police Chief Diane Cauthen laid an encased, folded American Flag on a memorial which was joined by an urn containing Sgt. Shotwell’s ashes.
Dr. Tutor gave a prayer at the cemetery and a recording of “Taps” was played.
An emotional last call was given for Sgt. Shotwell, that had many having trouble holding back tears. Following the last call, a live presentation of “Amazing Grace” was played on the bagpipes.
The service then concluded with Pima Assistant Fire Chief Adam Hoopes giving a benediction and those in attendance were invited to attend a wake for Sgt. Shotwell at the Manor House in Safford.
Sgt. Shotwell joined the Pima Police Department in November 2014 and previously was with the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office from 2008 – 2014.
