It was early Sunday morning just after 2am in the parking lot of a convenience store in the 3700 block of North Pearl Street. In the passenger seat of a car sat 33-year-old Jeffery Wayne Shaw. A 38-year-old man had arranged to meet him and buy some heroin. The 38-year-old man approached the car and showed a fake badge. Jeffery responded by telling the driver to drive and was shot. The driver took Jeffery to Tacoma General Hospital. Shortly after arriving at the hospital he died from his wounds. The 38-year-old was arrested hours later by the Tacoma Police Department.
Jeffery Wayne Shaw is the thirteenth Tacoma Homicide this year. He was not unknown to the police. A quick online search will show he has a lengthy criminal history. It might not show that he has an eleven year old son. Or that he was apprenticing to be an electrician. It won’t likely show the friends and family who are devastated by the loss of this man. It won’t show what it’s like to grow up without a father.
Too often murders like this go unreported or ignored. Some people see a drug deal gone bad and assume anyone involved deserves what they get, but a man is more than his worst deeds. We all are. The life of Jeffery Wayne Shaw is just as important as any we’ve lost this year. And there is no way to discount his life without saying on some level that we do not value all life. At TacomaStories every life is vital and worth being remembered.
As always the comments section is moderated by me. Every comment must be approved. It is reserved for those who knew Jeffery and want to share thoughts of memories of him. Disparaging, insulting, or threatening comments will not be tolerated. There are sadly plenty of other places for that sort of thing
– Jack Cameron
There is a GoFundMe account for those who want to donate to the victim’s family. https://www.gofundme.com/f9eqk7z6
tacomastories.com 
Thank you
I did not know him but am very sorry for your loss…May God comfort you and give you peace!!!
He was a good man, and I’ve never seen a love as genuine as the one he had for his girlfriend, my friend.
You are correct, Jeff chose a difficult path as a young adult. He had a childhood like many of us, a home with his parents and little sister. Jeff loved baseball, sports, his friends. In his company, he was polite, fun, and a great kid. His public struggles are sad and unfortunate and I am sorry he didn’t/couldn’t change his behavior.
I will miss the young boy I knew and will remain supportive for his family…
His family loved him so much, thoughts and prayers for them at this difficult time 😔
Jeff was always a cool dude. Even when I was a younger guy and he was 4 years older than me. We would be playing baseball at Curtis and he never would hesitate to come talk to us younger kids. I thought it was awesome because a popular older guy wasn’t being a douche, but a friend who made us all laugh. I got to know him better and we kicked it quite a few times and had some great times partying it up. I will never forget the way you and Sunny used to make me laugh so hard I would be to tears. I know I haven’t seen you in a few years but this news was devastating. I never want to hear of a homie passing. I wish I had one more chance just to say what up. May peace be with you at this time family of Jeff. You are in my prayers. RIP to a real loyal man.
I am a mom of a pregnant daughter who was murdered by her boyfriend and shot in the head. I can relate to the chaos and confusion of this type of senseless act. I am so sorry for your loss and will pray for peace to all his friends and family.
I have known Jeffrey since he was 1yrs old,
my Children grew up with him n his Sister,
Jeff was a good kid raised in a good loving home,he just feel into the wrong crowd n made some bad choices, Which We even as Adults Some like to sweep those times under the Carpet n choose to forget, but u Should never forget where u came from it made us who we are today, My Family is grieving Terribly for are Loss n yes I Said They are Family
regardless of the circumstances regardless of his need he felt to be out there on that day he lost his life he was loved n will never be forgotten, I too used to get angry n say they have a choice to be out there but the drugs the our children are being exposed to are not the drugs from are past, as I to Im Mother of a Child in world of these terrible times, pray for the people pray for the Families never say never don’t live in a false world. this could happen to anyone of us, These are good people who have taken a wrong turn in life
abandoning their families their Children n in their minds weve abandoned them,
WE LOVE ARE CHILDREN UNCONDITIONALY
RIP JEFFREY,
Thank you for a well written piece. I commend you for keeping it classy.
It came to great sadness to hear of the loss of Jeff. He was kind, loving, and always so happy. Jeff you will be greatly missed. We will always remember that contagious smile you carried.
Thank you for this article. He was loved by many and one was my son. They grew up together and loved each other. He may have made poor choices, yes but he was loved and leaves a son. Very sad indeed
To Jeffrey’s Mother, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine the world of pain you are in… you are in my thoughts and prayers ♡ RIP jeff
This is a great tragedy & I am sorry for the loss of a great man. This is exactly how articles should be written! Thank you for being an example of class & showing us all who he really was other than a criminal.
What a well written article. ♡♡ He will be truely missed. I had only known Jeff a few years but lots of laughs and good memories had been made. Prayers to all his friends and family, and most importantly his son. ♡
Oh Jennie Lynn, i’m so sorry honey! I cant even imagine losing a child. The evils of this world are way gone now for Jeffrey. His mind is at peace honey! Your mama and mine are taking real good care of him. I know how very much your mama loved him.
Your cousins,
Jeff and Debra Pennington
If you want to say anything back email me at: Savannah.jfp@comcast.net
God bless the family during this very difficult time, I can relate to this story 100% RIP..
Detective Harry Bosch, a character penned by crime fiction writer Michael Connelly, had a great line I’ve used in trial: “Everybody counts or nobody counts.”
What’s up Jeff…. I’m still sitting here waiting for you to text me to tell
Me to come over and hang out with the fam…. But I know that’s not gonna happen man…. I love you so much buddy… I’m so glad that I got to meet you this summer Jeff and I will never forget you my dude… You had my back no matter what and you ALWAYS took care of me man and I know we would always thank each other on how much we would always look after each other but I just wish I could thank you again face to face for how much of a good friend you are… I love you Jeff…. I can’t stop picturing in my head that Saturday we kicked it and the last thing me and you did together was sit there in your room and watched Conor Mcgregor knock out Jose Aldo in the UFC fight that Saturday night at like 11:30 pm and we were both like dang a knockout in 12 seconds lol… And then we just sat there on are phones like the rest of the world does lol and then I decided to go home around 12:30 that Sunday morning and we sat on the front porch as you were showing me your new phone you got… I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET WHEN I SAID ALRIGHT JEFF IM OUTTA HERE AND THAT I WOULD HIT YOU UP AT THE SAME TIME YOU STARTED TO WALK BACK INSIDE THE FRONT DOOR WE WERE TRYING TO DAP EACHOTHER UP BUT ARE HANDS BOTH MISSED EACH-OTHERS AND WE BOTH STOPPED TO MAKE SURE WE SHOOK EACH OTHERS HANDS AND THEN YOU WENT INSIDE AND THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I SEEN THAT BIG SMILE ON YOUR FACE… I WILL FOREVER EVER REMEMBER THAT SATURDAY WHEN WE WENT TO SONIC AND YOU ORDERED SOME SHAKES WITH EVERY SINGLE FLAVOR ADDED WITH EXTRA SPRINKLES LOL AND THEN YOU ASKED ME IF I WANTED ANYTHING TO EAT BECAUSE I HAD NO CASH… YOU WERE SUCH A CARING PERSON JEFF AND I TRULY KNOW THAT AND I WILL NOT LET ANYONE BAD MOUTH YOU BROTHA … IM GONNA MISS US ACTING LIKE WEIRDO’S GOING “MEEEOOOOWW” SUPER LOUD OUTTA NOWHERE JUST TO BE OBNOXIOUS LOL… ALTHOUGH WE JUST STARTED HANGING OUT THIS SUMMER IT SEEMS LIKE WEVE BEEN FRIENDS FOR EVER… I REMEMBER YOU WOULD TELL ME I REMINDED YOU OF YOUR SON… I WONT FORGET WHEN WE WENT TO THE FAIR AND YOU TOLD ME TO GET INTO THE PICTURE BECAUSE I WAS FAMILY…. I REMEMBER GOING UP TO THE MARINERS GAME ON THAT COACH BUS PARTYING ALL THE WAY TO SEATTLE …. I COULD SIT HERE ALL DAY AND WRITE NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS ABOUT YOU MY DUDE… JUST BECAUSE YOU WERENT MAKING THE BEST CHOICES DOESNT MEAN YOU ARE A BAD PERSON AT ALL BUDDY & I WONT LET ANYBODY TALK DOWN TO YOU BRO…. IM SITTING HERE IN MY ROOM WRITING ALL THIS OFF NO SLEEP LAST NIGHT BECAUSE I CANT SLEEP AND HARDLY CAN EAT AND IM LIVING IN DENIAL BECAUSE I KEEP QUESTIONING IF I EVER SHOULD HAVE LEFT THAT EARLY SUNDAY MORNING & STAYED WITH YOU AND WHO KNOWS MAYBE I COULD HAVE TALKED YOU OUTTA GOING UP TO 7/11 OR MAYBE I STAYED AND WENT WITH YOU UP TO 7/11 AND POSSIBLY CHANGED THE SITUATION… ITS KILLING ME INSIDE KNOWING THAT YOUR GONE BRO…. BRO TO BRO: I LOVE YOU JEFF & YOU MIGHT NOT BE HERE ON EARTH BUT I KNOW YOUR IN HEAVEN WATCHING DOWN ON US ALL BUDDY….. I NEVER GOT TO MEET YOUR PARENTS AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH AND HOW THEY FEEL…. AND FOR JEFFS MOM & DAD I JUST WANTED TO SAY IM SO SO SO SORRY THAT YOU GUYS LOST JEFF IN SUCH A CARELESS AND COWARD ACT OF VIOLENCE AND I KNOW YOU DONT KNOW ME BUT IF THERES ANYTHING I CAN DO FOR YOU GUYS AND YOUR FAMILY PLEASE LET ME KNOW…. AND JEFF PLEASE WATCH OVER YOUR MOMMA AND DAD RIGHT NOW BUDDY….. I LOVE YOU BIG BRO AND I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU OR THE TIMES THAT WE HAVE HAD…. UNTIL NEXT TIME!!!! MEEEEEEEOOOOOOWWWWWW
Well said….. fly high Jeffrey Shaw……
Rip Jeffrey
Sorry for the loss Shaw family.
God bless Jeff’s soul.. That being said it breaks my heart to put words together for my brother under these circumstances. Jeff made mistakes, as we all have. But those who have been lucky enough to know Jeff know there was a charming, HILARIOUS, cleverly witty, loving & caring man with a force that made you drawn to him. And if you know Jeff you had no choice other than being consumed by that force. It tears me up that I didn’t let Jeff know how much love I have for him, but I honestly believe he knew. I took for granted the timeline of his soul like I had a clue of his shelf life in the first place.
Jeff was awesome to my family and I. I will truly miss him by laughing and crying from the memories I have of him. Geeeez, a life taken too soon. Peace and blessings to you Jeff, your family especially your son, Liz, parents and sister, and all those who had love for my brother.
From Dorrough#2.
Every life matters.Addiction is a disease..its an epidemic of enormous proportions in this country.Even drug addicts are someone’s son,daughter,mother father,etc.I am a recovering addict and my husband and kids drove the streets day and night searching for me because I am that important to them.Just like this young man,he is someone’s everything.Every death is a huge loss to this world.Your addiction does not define who you are.God bless this young man and his family.I hope he is remembered for the man he is without the drug.
He was my son….thank you for all your kind words…he mattered…he was loved
Thank you for this well written article. I so appreciate reading about the human that he was.
Jeff was a good kid whom I’ve known for most of his life , yeah he made mistakes throughout his adult life and maybe choose the easy money but don’t make that who Jeff was ! He was a kid who loved his mother and a dad who loved his son and No ONE has the right to take another persons life , the only person who has that right is god and I can tell you this jeffs murderer was not god !! I have watched his mother grieve now for almost 20 months and can say she will ever get over losing her so and her first born ! So maybe just one time met the law work for Jeff for his mom and most importantly his son !! Happy