Alex Shelton, widowof the late U.S. ArmySgt. Tyler Shelton wept over her husband’s American flag-draped coffin as her father-in-law, Mike, stood nearby ready to offer comfort.
As Army personnel joined Shelton’s family, hundreds waited in line to pay their respects to the fallen soldier, whose remainsarrived Monday night atSunset Hills Memorial Park and Mortuaryin Apple Valley.
“Losing Tyler was so tragic and I feel for his wife and family,” said Barbara Owen, who worked with Sgt.Shelton at Stater Bros. on Bear Valley Road in Apple Valley before he enlisted in the Army in 2016. “He was so young, full of life, a hard worker and he had such a bright future ahead of him.”
Crash in California
Sgt. Shelton, 22, a graduate of Granite Hills High School in Apple Valley, died Aug. 27 in a Black Hawk helicopter crashon San Clemente Island.
Staff Sgt. Vincent Marketta, 33, of New Jersey, was alsokilled in the crash, which occurred during a training exercise, Army officialssaid.
Both men served as Black Hawk helicopter repairers assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, a unit that participated in the 2011 operation that resulted inthe death of Osama bin Laden.
Three other soldiers were injured,according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. Less than a month before,seven Marines and one Navy sailorwere also killed in a training exercise on the island.
Coming home, coming together
On Monday afternoon, first responders, civic leaders and hundreds of High Desert residents wavedAmerican flags on local overpassesasthe motorcade carryingShelton to Sunset Hills made its way north onInterstate 15.
The motorcadestarted at Ontario International Airport after his remains arrived there from Fort Lewis in Washington state,according to Army spokesperson J. Elise Van Pool.
In addition to a hearse, the procession included family vehicles Army personnel and members of the So Cal Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle group that attends "Memorial Missions and Military Honors" when invited by the family of a fallen soldier.
Alex Shelton (née Rich) said she met Sgt. Sheltonat the Double 6 Ranch, an equestrian center in Apple Valley, in 2017.Theywere marriedDec. 26, 2019,in Hesperia.
On Tuesday, she said his supporters on the overpasses showed her "how loved Tyler was, not only by me, but by an entire city."
"I felt that he was surrounded by love as people welcomed him home," Alex Shelton said.
Phelan resident Jeanne Adkinsstood among thosewho waited for the motorcade to pass undera freeway overpass in Hesperia. She said she met Sgt.Shelton and his familyafter moving to Apple Valley in 2002.
“At that time, Tyler was a fun-loving 5-year-old, and I had the privilege of watching him grow into a man with great honor and courage,” Adkins said. “We loved him and we love his family, who has paid a tremendous price to keep this great country of ours free.”
Former Hesperia mayor Eric Schmidt said the Victor Valleycame togetherto honor Sgt.Shelton, adding that there was"unity and love in the air and everybody felt it."
"Amid all this division and turmoil within our country," Schmidt said, "tonight gave me hope and a glimpse of greatness."
David Wetzel, of Apple Valley, echoed thatsentiment, saying Monday night that he saw the communityhe remembered seeing more often as a kid.
“We came together to honor a young man that made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may have our views and opinions,” Wetzel said. “Tonight, we showed that we can set those views and opinions aside and be true Americans. Rest In Peace,Tyler. This is the beauty of America because of men like him.”
'A hero's welcome'
As the sun set over the High Desert, a teary-eyed Linda Stafford, 57, stood near the entrance to Sunset Hills alongside many others whopaidtheir respects to Sgt. Shelton,including nearly 30 uniformed members of Boy Scout Troop 357 from Apple Valley.
“I never met Tyler or his family, but he was a native son of Apple Valley — one of our own — who sacrificed his life while serving our country,” Stafford said. “He deserves a hero's welcome and his family needs to know that we love and support them.”
As the motorcadeentered the gates of Sunset Hills, they crossed under an American flag that was attached to the extended ladder of anApple Valley Fire Protection District engine.
Apple Valley Mayor Scott Nassif, Town Manager Doug Robertson and members of the Town Council were also on hand.
“His death hit close to home for so many of us living here in Apple Valley,” Nassif said. “His death was a tragedy, but we will remember his legacy. We’re here to pay our respects and to present the family with a certificate.”
The Town Council closed its Sept. 1 meeting in memory of Sgt.Shelton, Nassif said.
Shelton played football at Granite Hills, and he consistently rankedamong theCougars' top defenders. Hewas one of three inside linebackers named to the All-Desert Sky League First Team in 2014, the Daily Press reported.
In his junior year, he led theteamwith 101 tackles before breaking his collarbone during summer workouts, which sidelined him for the first three games of his senior-year season.
Members of the Granite Hills Touchdown Club said they were “heart broken” in a Facebook post after Sgt. Shelton's death.
“Tyler was part of the 2015 Cougar Football Team and helped lay the foundation of what Granite Hills Football is today,” the club said. “Tyler was an exceptional football player, but more importantly an exceptional human being.”
A decorated career
Sgt. Shelton enlisted in the Army in 2016. Hewas deployed to Afghanistan, and earnednumerous awards and decorations, the Army reported.
Both heand Staff Sgt.Marketta will posthumously receive the Meritorious Service Medal, which is awarded to members of the armed forces “who distinguished themselves by outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service to the United States,” according to the Army’s Institute of Heraldry.
During his military career, Sgt. Shelton earnedthe Army Good Conduct Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal (Campaign Star); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; and the Basic Aviator’s Badge.
Col. Andrew R. Graham, commander of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment said in a statement thatthe loss of Sgt. Shelton and Staff Sgt. Marketta "left a scar" on the regiment "that will never completely heal."
“Their level of dedication to the 160th SOAR (A) and their exemplary service in the Army is the embodiment of what it means to be a Night Stalker and a Soldier,” Graham said.
Amemorial service for Sgt. Sheltonisscheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.
