Published on Tuesday, March 21, 2006
in the Ft. Myers News-Press

Deceased soldier to be named honorary FHP trooper

Before he died fighting in Iraq, U.S. Army Cpl. Jimmy Lee Shelton wanted to return home and become a Florida Highway Patrol trooper.

His career aspiration did not go unnoticed by highway patrol. Nearly four months after his death, Col. Christopher Knight, director of FHP, will name the late Shelton an honorary trooper.

The 4:30 p.m. ceremony on Wednesday at FHP headquarters at Page Field will include Shelton’s family.

“Honorary trooper, that’s unheard of,” said FHP Lt. Doug Dodson. “We really don’t do that. At least I’ve never seen it. It’s very nice.”

Shelton, 21, of Lehigh Acres was killed on Dec. 3 when his camp in Bayji, Iraq, was struck by mortar fire. Eighteen other soldiers were injured, but only Shelton was killed.