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Dear Friend,



My name is Melinda Shaw, and I’m the proud wife of Deputy Michael Shaw of the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office.

That’s Michael and me with our children in the picture I’ve included.



I know we've never met – but if you would move heaven and earth to protect your family, then I pray that you'll understand why I'm writing to you today.




As you may know, it’s a difficult and dangerous time to be in law enforcement. Officers across America have targets on their back just for wearing the uniform… it seems every time I read the news, another police officer has been gunned down during a routine traffic stop or ambushed during a call.


So, I knew full well the dangers of Michael’s job. We both did – though that never stopped me from worrying every time he left the house for work.



I never imagined our worst nightmare would come at the hands of the local district attorney.




You see, on October 8, 2021, Michael was involved in a high-speed chase with a career criminal which resulted in Michael using minor – and necessary force – to apprehend the felon and now, my husband being charged with crimes that could put him in prison for many years… for doing his job.




It started when he made a traffic stop of a criminal named William Cain, a convicted felon whom Michael had arrested before.



During the stop, Michael saw firearm ammunition in Cain’s glove compartment and that there were several missing rounds.




As a convicted felon, Cain was prohibited from possessing ammunition – so naturally, Michael was concerned the suspect was also illegally carrying a firearm.



Suddenly, Cain hit the gas and took off. Michael and his partner sprinted for their squad cars and followed.




The criminal led them on a dangerous 11+-mile high-speed chase before crashing into a dark pond in a rural, unlit area.



I’m thankful no one was hurt in the chase, but what came next is equally horrifying for my family.



You see, Michael and his partner apprehended Cain as he came up the bank of the pond and then tried to arrest him, but Cain decided to resist arrest while still near the bank of the water and a struggle ensued.




Finally, Michael and his partner were able to handcuff him at the edge of the pond after Michael was forced to use necessary strikes to subdue him. There was no serous injury, only lacerations.



Cain was now in custody and the threat to Michael – and the community — was over.


But three weeks later, the local prosecutor charged Michael with felony assault for that very minor use of necessary force.



If he’s found guilty, Michael could spend many years in prison. Locked away from our three children, Hunter (30), Anna Grace (24) and Harlie (13).




Friend, as a mother and the wife of a police officer, I’m used to planning for the worst. But I was in complete shock when we learned about the criminal charge.



I used to imagine having to tell our children that daddy had been seriously injured and was in the hospital. Or that worse, he wasn't coming home.




But how do you tell your children that daddy isn't coming home because our very own government is the one prosecuting him for doing his job?



My mind races at night thinking about what I will do if Michael is sent to prison.




So right now, I'm trying to stay focused on the biggest problem we're facing: how are we going to pay for Michael's defense?



Defending an officer in a case like this can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. But raising three children on one police officer’s salary means we don't have that kind of money in our bank account.




The answer to our prayers came when we received a call from Jason Johnson, President of Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund (LELDF), who had heard about Michael's case.



LELDF defends good officers, like my husband, who have been unfairly prosecuted for split-second, use-of-force decisions in the line of duty.




They have generously offered to help pay for Michael's legal defense. But first they have to raise money for a trial, which will require many dozens of hours of legal research, expert witnesses, legal motions and all sorts of advocacy efforts.




To be honest, Friend, I’m not used to asking for help. But today I'm going to take a deep breath and ask you one of the hardest questions I've ever asked another person:



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Will you help LELDF fight for my husband by making a donation of any amount today?



Your gift is tax-deductible. And it will help us pay for Michael's trial and help other innocent law enforcement officers who've been unfairly charged, too.



My friend, I know we've never met. But I hope you'll find it in your heart to help LELDF fight for my husband.



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Whether you can send $10 or $100, your contribution could be the difference between letting my husband rot in prison for ten years for a crime he didn't commit... or keeping him at home with his family where he belongs.




After the hell we’ve been through, my family will be forever grateful for your contribution and support.



People like you remind me that there is still good in this world. May God bless you.

Gratefully,

Melinda Shaw


P.S. My husband, Deputy Michael Shaw, is a decorated law enforcement officer who spent almost two decades defending our community against dangerous criminals. Now, our llocal prosecutor is threatening to put him in prison after Michael did what he was trained to do to apprehend a known felon.
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Please help LELDF fight for Michael’s freedom so he can continue fighting for the safety of our community and stay with his family where he belongs. Thank you in advance for your support.


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Support LELDF

More such officers who sacrifice so much for will face similar fates unless we speak out and stand up for the brave men and women in blue. The next time you see a police officer in your community, please thank them for their service. To read more about our mission or the other Law Enforcement officers we're defending, please visit www.leldf.org. And remember - Blue Lives Matter!

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