Shawn Silvera
February 25, 2011

Shawn Silvera, Lino Lakes Police Officer killed in the line of duty on September 6, 2005. 

Shawn was born March 7, 1973 to Richard and Bonnie (Johnson) Silvera in Edina, MN. He is a 1991 graduate of Coon Rapids Senior High. He began his police career as a Police Explorer in Coon Rapids while still in high school. After high school graduation Shawn attended North Hennepin Technical College from July 1991 until December 1993. He then pursued his education at Minneapolis Community College from December 1993 until January 1994 in the Skills training where he graduated from with an associate arts degree in law enforcement. For over four years from May of 1992 to May of 1996 he served as a Community Services Officer for Coon Rapids Police Department. From February 1996 until August of 1997 he was a part time police officer with the Forest Lake Police Department. He joined the Lino Lakes Police Department on August 4, 1997.

On May 12, 2000 Shawn married Jennifer Vander Poel at Epiphany Catholic Church in Coon Rapids. Shawn and Jennifer served in the Peace Corp together from July 28, 2001 to September 2, 2003 in Honduras. Shawn and Jennifer were blessed with two children. Jordan Spencer Anthony Silvera was born on December 18, 2003 and Madelynn Marie Grace Silvera born on April 8, 2005. Shawn's children and wife were very precious to him.

Shawn was preceded in death by his father Richard Silvera on December 26, 2003. He is survived by his wife Jennifer; his two young children Jordan and Madelynn of Forest Lake; his mother Bonnie Silvera of Coon Rapids; his brother Mark (Deanne) Silvera and their two children Natalie and Henry of Crystal; his sister Nicole (Nick) Winslow of Isanti; his sister in laws, Cynthia Vander Poel of Maplewood, Sarah Vander Poel of Minneapolis; Deanna (Jim) Ekholm of Richfield and their two children Ashlyn and Evan; his brother in-law Adam Vander Poel of Minneapolis;many other relatives and special friends; and his fellow officers of the Lino Lakes Police Department and the greater State of Minnesota.

Shawn was extremely proud to be a police officer and had a deep loyalty to serve and protect. Being an officer to him was much more than wearing a badge and carrying a gun. Shawn's brother Mark Silvera described Shawn as being given the gift of determination. He was a self taught gifted musician, his musical talents included playing the guitar, piano and voice. He played in the church band at Epiphany and also played the harmonica in local Irish pubs. Shawn loved to travel, computers and photography. He created a website in 2001 globalsilveras.com to document his Peace Corps service and kept up the website running up until the time of his death. Shawn had a deep faith in his Lord, he and his family joined St. Paul's in Ham Lake in 2004.

Funeral arrangements for Shawn are being handled by the Roberts-Eckert Funeral Home, 555 SW Centennial Drive, Forest Lake, 651-464-4422. A public visitation for Shawn will be held Sunday, September 11, 2005 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at Epiphany Catholic Church, 1900 11th Ave NW in Coon Rapids, with a prayer service at 6:00 pm. Funeral services will be Monday, September 12 at 3 pm at Epiphany Catholic Church, Coon Rapids with interment following in the church cemetery.

A memorial fund for Shawn's wife and children has been set up at the Lino Lakes State Bank, 7449 Village Drive, Lino Lakes, MN 55014. Attn: Shawn Silvera Memorial Fund" Any questions in regards to the memorial fund may be addressed to the bank directly at 651-785-9320.

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