Emotional vigil held for DC police officer killed in Prince George's County motorcycle crash

WASHINGTON - A D.C. community remembered Officer Jamal Shaw Thursday night at a candlelight vigil nearly one week after he died in an off-duty motorcycle crash in Prince George's County.

Dozens of people honored the 27-year-old officer in a vigil that began in Northeast D.C. at 12th Street and H Street, the area where he patrolled. The vigil then moved to the First District substation in Southeast D.C. where Shaw was assigned.

"All these people come together for a 27-year-old man, it shows you his personality, his character," said Tyrone Hunt, Shaw's uncle.

Shaw was killed last Friday as he was riding his motorcycle on Piscataway Road near Brandywine Road in Clinton, Maryland. Police say he was cut off by another driver, which forced him to go down to the ground with his motorcycle. A vehicle driving in the opposite direction then fatally struck Shaw.

Police say the driver of the striking vehicle stayed at the scene, but they are still looking to find the driver who cut off Shaw.

D.C. police gave an End of Watch call for Officer Shaw on their radio communications Thursday night. A few moments of silence were taken and several people spoke in remembrance of the fallen officer.

Shaw was a motorcycle enthusiast. His uncle told FOX 5 he always pushed the envelope and strived for better.

"He was about to go get his Master's [degree]," explained Hunt. "He was never satisfied where he was - always wanted to grow in a positive direction."

As the motorcycle and streetcar procession got ready to make its way from Northeast D.C. to Southeast D.C., Shaw's uncle had a message for his nephew.

"Jamal, we love you," he said. "Everybody in the community loves you. We're going to carry you in our hearts and souls everywhere we go."

During the vigil, officers emphasized the need for drivers to be wary of more motorcyclists on the road especially now that the weather is warming. Motorcyclists cannot stop as quickly and what might be a fender-bender in a car could turn deadly for a motorcyclist.

Shaw's funeral will be Saturday, April 21 at Allen Chapel AME Church in Southeast D.C. His wake will start at 9 a.m. and the funeral will take place at 11 a.m.