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Chandler police bury adopted 9-year-old officer
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Shevy Wright’s twin eight-year-old sisters, Destiny and Ginger Wright, remember him at his funeral Saturday.
Bettina Hansen, Tribune
A line of Chandler police officers saluted Saturday morning as pallbearers carried a small coffin with the Stars and Stripes draped over the top.
All was silent except the bagpiper, who played as officers prepared for the funeral procession to Valley of the Sun Cemetery in Chandler to honor one of their own.
Shevy Wright, 9, was given a police officer’s funeral Saturday morning at Chandler Christian Church. The Apache Junction boy died Nov. 17 of a terminal brain tumor diagnosed in December 2006.
This summer the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Chandler Police Department granted Shevy his wish to become a police officer. He received a badge, a uniform and dozens of police friends.
“The love and kindness of the Chandler police officers is wonderful,” said Heather Wright, Shevy’s mother. “There is not enough words and thanks to express my appreciation to them.”
After Shevy’s family congregated in the back room for private prayer, the ceremony began as Pastor Terry Anderson officiated.
A quilt and several pictures of Shevy were placed on display in the back of the church, and family members and police officers talked about their memories of the boy.
Chandler Police Chief Sherry Kiyler talked about the day Shevy took his oath with the department.
“He did what many of us spend a lifetime trying to accomplish,” Kiyler said. “He made a difference.”
Kiyler said Shevy honored the profession of the Chandler police officers.
Kiyler also said that Shevy’s favorites among all the police equipment was his laser and his handcuffs “with the really long key.”
Sgt. Keith Benjamin, known as Shevy’s “best buddy,” talked about the times he shared riding around with Shevy on patrol and when they went to pick out his uniform.
“We spent two-and-a-half hours at the uniform store,” Benjamin said. “We looked at every piece of police equipment in that store twice.”
Benjamin also said the Police Softball League renamed its sportsman of the year award on Saturday to the Shevy Wright Sportsman of the Year Award.
A biography and a picture of Shevy, as well as testimonials from officers who knew him, will be displayed at www.policesoftball.com.
“He made a lot of impact on a lot of people’s lives, including mine,” Benjamin said.
Heather Wright called Shevy her hero.
“I look up to him,” the mother said. “He is the one who gave me strength to keep hope alive, and never to give up.”
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