JOHN CARSWELL - Daily Union Staff Writer
According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 6:11 p.m. on October 2, 2006 the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office requested that the Windsor Police Department check the well being of Deputy Todd Shafer at his residence in Windsor.
Linda Voris, Windsor City Clerk said, “He (Shafer) wasn’t at the City Council meeting last night, but that is not unusual. He could have been called out so we didn’t think anything about it because of the work he does as a K-9 Officer with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department. He often gets called out at the last minute.” Voris added that Shafer would have normally been at the City Council meeting since he held the position of Windsor Water and Sewer Commissioner. “I didn’t know anything about it until this morning. Everybody is just in shock.”
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office also reported that suspicions arose when “Deputy Shafer had not reported to work for his regular shift. After getting no response at the residence, a family member let the Windsor Police into the residence.”
“Deputy Shafer was later found deceased inside the residence by the Windsor Police Department. The initial investigation conducted by the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services indicated Deputy Shafer appeared to had died from a self inflicted injury.”
An autopsy has been scheduled by the Shelby County Coroner and an inquest will be held at a later date.
Shelby County Sheriff, Michael A. Miller said, “Everybody here is extremely upset. I think I speak on the behalf of everybody, for all of us. I am kind of at a loss for words. I wish we could reach out now to Todd. Everybody’s very upset.”
Robert Todd Shafer was a native of Shelby County and resided in Windsor with his wife, Kristen. He graduated from Windsor High School in 1988 and began his career with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in 1992, becoming a Sergeant in 1996, and K9 officer with his dog “Rex” in 2001. Besides being a Windsor City Commissioner, he was also a Lieutenant with the Windsor Fire District.
