West Rutland, Vermont - September 22, 2011
The patriotic town of West Rutland lost one of it's brothers. Not serving on the front lines, but in the aftermath of Irene.
His widow, Kristine Stocker, said, "He was always my hero, but I did not realize how much of a hero he was to our community and our country. We have had a great outpouring of support."
Master Sgt. Shawn Stocker, 46, has over 20 years of service in uniform. He was on a tour with the Vermont Air Guard in Norway when the storm hit his home state. Twenty-four hours after he returned, he went straight to work cleaning up the wreckage in southern Vermont.
Master Sgt. Clem Devine of the Vermont Air Guard explained, "We were working on several different roads in Proctorsville and Cavendish loading in stone with the 131st engineers out of Colchester."
Family members say Stocker was in great physical shape, but on Wednesday he was leaving the Proctorsville Fire Department and dropped to the ground from a heart attack. CPR was not enough to save him.
"It is unfathomable it is one of your best friends, and here you are trying to save his life," Devine said.
Stocker leaves behind his 10-year old daughter, Harley, three older daughters, and one granddaughter, as well as his wife, Kristine. They would be celebrating their 8-year anniversary this October.
She says she is amazed by the outpouring of love and support from people she hardly knows, who also loved her husband.
"I think his legacy will live on and I will do everything I can to make sure that happens," expressed Stocker.
Devine said his friend had a big heart and an ever bigger personality. He was proud of his family, and proud to serve his fellow Americans.
Devine said, "We are Vermont Air Guard. We serve our state and our country. That is what it was all about for Shawn."
Services are scheduled for Tuesday at Grace Congregational Church in Rutland.
Molly Smith, WCAX News
