Governor Tim Pawlenty today ordered that all U.S. and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at the Capitol Complex, including state buildings, monuments and grounds in proximity to and including the Minnesota State Capitol, from sunrise until sunset, on Monday, September 12, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Officer Shawn B. Silvera.

Governor Pawlenty will attend funeral services for Officer Shawn B. Silvera in Coon Rapids on Monday afternoon.

The following is the text of the Governor's official proclamation:

WHEREAS: Officer Shawn B. Silvera was born on March 7, 1973, to Richard and Bonnie Silvera in Edina, Minnesota; and

WHEREAS: Officer Shawn B. Silvera grew up in the Riverview area of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1991; and

WHEREAS: Officer Shawn B. Silvera began his law enforcement career while still in high school when he was a member of the Coon Rapids Explorer Post from 1990 to 1994.  He became a Coon Rapids Police Department community service officer in 1992 and worked for the city while attending Hennepin Technical College and later earning his college law enforcement degree from Minneapolis Community College; and

WHEREAS: Officer Shawn B. Silvera was a part-time police officer in Forest Lake from 1996 to 1997.  He began his career with the Lino Lakes Police Department on August 4, 1997; and

WHEREAS: Officer Shawn B. Silvera was extremely proud to be a police officer and had a deep loyalty to serve and protect.  He worked with the department's Explorers Program, served as a D.A.R.E. officer, and was a counselor at Safety Camp; and

WHEREAS: Officer Shawn B. Silvera married his high school sweetheart, Jennifer Vander Pool, at the Church of the Epihany Catholic Church in Coon Rapids on May 12, 2000; and

WHEREAS: Officer Shawn B. Silvera took a two-year leave from his job in 2001 when he joined the Peace Corps with his wife, Jennifer.  They moved to Honduras where he used his computer skills and Spanish language skills working with an orphanage and starting a community library; and

WHEREAS: Officer Shawn B. Silvera was killed in the line of duty and died a hero on Tuesday, September 6, 2005, while assisting other Officers who were involved in a pursuit with a fleeing suspect; and

WHEREAS: Officer Shawn B. Silvera is survived by his wife, Jennifer; his son Jordan; his daughter Madelynn; his mother Bonnie; his brother Mark; his sister Nicole; and by many other close family members and special friends and his fellow officers of the Lino Lakes Police Department and the greater state of Minnesota.  He was proceeded in death by his father, Richard Silvera; and

WHEREAS: The visitation service for Officer Shawn B. Silvera will be held Sunday, September 11, 2005, at the Church of the Epiphany Catholic Church in Coon Rapids; the funeral service will be held Monday, September 12, 2005, at the Church of the Epiphany Catholic Church followed by the interment with police honors at the Epiphany Cemetery; and

WHEREAS: The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Officer Shawn B. Silvera for his dedicated service to the people of Lino Lakes and our state and wants the family to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIM PAWLENTY, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby order all U.S. and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at the Capitol Complex, including state buildings, monuments and grounds in proximity to and including the Minnesota State Capitol from sunrise, until sunset, on Monday, September 12, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Officer Shawn B. Silvera.