LOCUST, N.C.-- The widow of an officer shot in the line of duty spoke Saturday about her husband’s death. A service was held to honor three local police officers who have paid the ultimate price. Those three: Locust Officer Ray Kennedy, Oakboro Officer Damon Smith and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Jeff Shelton. Shelton's widow, Jennifer, spoke at that service. To say its been a long year is putting it mildly for Shelton. "It is emotional for me... and hard for me," she says. Still she stood before a crowd Saturday who gathered in the park which now bears her husband’s name. The ceremony started local celebrations in honor of National Police Week.

"Since we are here to honor fallen officers and remember all officers still out there protecting us... I thought it would be fitting to share with you some stories and memories of Jeff," Shelton said as she addressed the crowd. What follow were website postings from those who knew and worked with Jeff.  "From the first minute I met Jeff... I could not help but like him," she recalled. "It was easy to tell there was only one thing he loved more than being a cop... was Jennifer."

"The world will never know what it lost the day Jeff was taken from us," says Shelton. Those officers lost a comrade, Jennifer lost a husband and a best friend. "There is not a day goes buy I don't miss his smile and laughter," says Shelton.

Through what she describes as a horrible, life altering journey, she says she’s learned something important…. She isn’t walking alone. "I thank you for coming out today to pay tribute to all officers," she said in conclusion. With family and friends by her side, Jennifer Shelton will now travel to Washington D.C. to take part in police week events there, including a special candlelight vigil at the National Law Enforcement Memorial, where her husband's name along with that of his fallen comrade Sean Clark will be etched in stone for future generations to see.