LANCASTER — Lancaster is mourning its first police officer ever killed in the line of duty.
Officer Craig Shaw was a five-year veteran of the force. The 37-year-old had offered to work on Father's Day — even though the devoted husband had a seven-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter.
Shaw was slain as he responded to a report of shots fired at a Lancaster apartment complex on Sunday evening.
The Lancaster Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance will hold a Prayer Vigil at 9 a.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church of Lancaster, 201 South Dallas Avenue.
A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Thursday evening at 8 o'clock at the Lancaster Public Safety Facility at 1650 North Dallas Avenue.
Visitation for Officer Shaw is Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Inspiring Body of Christ Church, 7701 South Westmoreland Road in Dallas.
The officer's funeral will take place at the same Dallas church at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Sgt. Derek Clark, a longtime friend and fellow Lancaster officer, said he was devastated to learn that Shaw had been killed.
"It kind of hit home for me real hard, because I had just left my son, and now here's my friend — he won't be going home to his son any more," Clark said.
Shaw also served on a regional SWAT team. Those members who served with him gathered on Monday — some wiping away tears — as they learned of his death and paid tribute to him.
The Craig Shaw Trust Fund has been established, and contributions can be made at any local Chase bank branch.
