Funeral Held for Fallen State Trooper Killed Last Week in Laurel

Hundreds of law enforcement officers representing about 30 organizations from throughout the state gathered in Randallstown Friday morning to honor fallen Maryland State Police Trooper Shaft S. Hunter.

The 11 a.m. funeral for Hunter was held at the New Antioch Baptist Church.

"We have about 30 color guards from law enforcement all across Maryland and even from out of state," said Greg Shipley, spokesman for Maryland State Police. "They're from in-state, out-of-state, across the country, northern and western states. All this is something that is done as part of the fraternity of law enforcement. It is a fitting tribute to honor this hero and to show support for his family."

Lt. John Zagraik, a resident of Bel Air, was part of the color guard today, representing the Maryland Transportation Authority Police.

The officer, who is stationed at the Port Detachment in Baltimore, said he has been participating in his agency's honor guard for 15 years.

"When you lose another officer in the line of duty, it hits home. We've lost others form our agency who have been invlved in motor vehicle collisions, so we know what it's like."

Hunter, a Reisterstown resident, died early May 21 in a traffic accident on Interstate 95 in Howard County. He was an 11-year veteran of the Maryland State Police and was most recently assigned to road patrol duties at the Waterloo Barrack, according to state police.

"TFC Hunter was an outstanding trooper who was known for his dedication to duty," Superintendent Terrence Sheridan said in a news release. "He died while working to keep our highways safe."

Hunter is the 43rd state trooper to die in the line of duty, Sheridan said. 

The crash occurred at about 2:40 a.m. Saturday on I-95 southbound in Laurel, state police said. Based on a witness account, Hunter may have been pursuing a motorcycle when his patrol car struck the back of a tractor trailer that was pulled over on the shoulder just before the entrance ramp to a rest area. Hunter’s car traveled down the side of the trailer and came to rest near the front, police said.

Hunter was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was born in Bridgeport, Conn., and served in the United State Marine Corps from 1994 to 2000. After being honorably discharged as a captain, he was recruited by Maryland State Police. He was elected president of the 114th Trooper Candidate Class, state police said.

Next year, Hunter’s name will be placed on the state police memorial in Pikesville, a state police spokesperson said.

Hunter, 39, is survived by his six children, ages 4 to 19, for whom a  was started by his family. Donations can be made at any M&T Bank in Maryland and can be mailed to the Hunter Children’s Scholarship Fund, 207 Bowie Road, Laurel, MD, 20707.