Slain Deptford police officer Bobby Shisler honored at Deptford High ballfield
DEPTFORD — A high school baseball field here has been named in honor of a fallen police officer.
A sign proclaiming "Bobby Shisler Field" was unveiled at Deptford High School's athletic complex on Friday, May 3.
The dedication came days before the first anniversary of Shisler's death on May 7, 2023. The 27-year-old officer died after being shot during a confrontation with a pedestrian nearly two months earlier.
Deptford's police department marked the anniversary with a Facebook post that described Shisler as "one of the greatest warriors we’ve had the honor of knowing."
The post praised the strength of Shisler's family, and expressed gratitude for continuing support from residents and fellow law enforcement officers.
"We miss Bobby each and every day," the post said.
"We have no idea if we’re doing this right. But each day we get up, put on our uniforms, and go to work to serve the residents of Deptford Township. That’s what Bobby would do and that’s what we will continue to do."
The four-year veteran was a 2014 Deptford High graduate and a catcher with the school's baseball team.
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"Now, his name will become a permanent fixture on the field where he spent so much time with his teammates during his high school years," the school district said in announcing the honor.
The ceremony preceded a game between boys baseball teams from Deptford and Gloucester City High School.
During the ceremony, the scoreboard — and some jerseys worn by Deptford team members — displayed Shisler's badge number, 5273.
Members of the Shisler family received a framed jersey with the officer’s number, 11, from his time on the high school team. The frame also encased photographs of the officer and a facsimile of his signature, a school spokesman noted.
Shisler also was on Deptford high's football team and was an avid hunter and weightlifter, according to an obituary.
He played baseball after high school at Presbyterian College in South Carolina, the obituary said.
A township man, 24-year-old Mitchell Negron Jr., also died during the March 10, 2023, encounter with Shisler.
Authorities said a confrontation occurred when Negron tried to flee from a pedestrian stop on Delsea Drive near Doman Avenue.
Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Name of Bobby Shisler, slain Deptford police officer, will live on
