Shawna Amber Hamel

Born on December 19, 1972, Shawna was born to Dennis and Patricia Hamel in Dearborn, Michigan. Growing up in Wyandotte and Southgate, Michigan, Shawna attended Wyandotte Catholic grade school and then graduated from Gabriel Richard High School in 1991. In high school, she was able to experience and participate in the art of theatre. This spurred a life long love of theatre, films, books, and writing. Knowing her education would not stop with a high school diploma, Shawna attended Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. There she obtained a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English and German graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1996. While attending Wayne State University, she began writing for the University newspaper, The South End, as well as local Detroit-area publications. After graduating, Shawna set out to follow in the footsteps of legendary writer Ernest Hemingway. To do this, she, just like Hemingway, started her journalism and writing career at The Kansas City Star in Kansas City, Missouri. While working at The Kansas City Star from 1995 through 1999, she started off as a general news reporter. After time, her interest in crime reporting and investigative journalism grew leading her to eventually become a crime reporter covering stories of criminals, justice, and the court system. This spurred her interest in law enforcement which led her to becoming a law enforcement official herself. Starting with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri, Shawna’s love for the criminal justice system only increased. However, wanting to be closer to her family who had now moved to the East coast of Florida, Shawna moved to Daytona Beach, Florida. Her love for the sun, sand and surf made Daytona Beach a perfect home. Continuing her law enforcement career, Shawna became a member of the Daytona Beach Police Department. While working with the Daytona Beach Police Department from 2001 through 2014, Shawna received numerous awards including the Road Patrol Award, Community Service Award, Chief’s Award, and an Expert Marksmanship Award. After being in law enforcement for almost 15 years, Shawna transitioned out of the tough life of a patrol officer to a white collar job in the Tampa Bay area in 2014. Moving, once again, to be close to her family. Working hard, watching films, hanging out with her rescued cats, reading books, and spending time with family brought her happiness.

Shawna continues to live in a part of each of her surviving family members including her sister, Jill Hamel (Geoff) of Valrico, Florida; her Aunt Patricia Allen (Adrian) of South Pasadena, Florida; her Uncle Gene Hamel (Michelle) of Brownstown, Michigan; her Uncle Steve Hamel (Terri) of Plymouth, Michigan; her Uncle Joe (Karen) of Schwenksville, Pennsylvania; her Aunt Penny Hickman of Southgate, Michigan; her Aunt Linda (Casey) of Carlton, Michigan; her Aunt Donna Dillon (Bill) of Evansville, Indiana; her cousin Douglas Dillon (Janice) of Evansville, Indiana; her cousin Denise Dillon (Waylon) of Madison, Wisconsin; and most importantly, her amazing parents, Dennis and Patricia Hamel.

Shawna’s life was a blessing, her memory a treasure, she is loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

Gold Shield Foundation, P.O. Box 271791, Tampa, FL 33688

Goldshieldfoundation.com

Suncoast Animal League, 1030 Pennsylvania Avenue, Palm Harbor, FL 34683

Suncoastanimalleague.org