My condolences and prayers for your loss. Shawn was a great man. I wanted to write the family and let you know about something I am sure you are unaware of that Shawn started. I starting working for Shawn in 2007 when he was the K9 Sergeant. That same year he trusted in me enough to rebuild the MCSO sniper program and to lead it. His belief, trust, and support in me to start in the sniper world, was such a huge part of my success. More importantly, his support in all that we were able to do and start, sprouted off into large training events and sniper schools ever since then. So why do I tell you that? All of these events and trainings have led to numerous lives saved by law enforcement in the state of Arizona. Specifically for me, his knowledge he gave me and the support he gave me to get as much training as possible, enabled me to also save some lives. I am forever grateful for his support in me. I was lucky enough to tell him face to face about all of this about a year ago, but I wanted you all to know a little bit more about how important and valuable he was to the law enforcement community. Thank you all for sharing him with us for all those years. 

Mike Puente

I started in a small agency out west many many moons ago and we were able to assist MCSO during NASCAR each year. Most of the time other Officers or Deputies would look down on our agency due to how small we were and not having all the resources bigger agencies had and biggest was are  extremely low pay.  I know our Officers looked forward each year to working NASCAR for the extra money it provided for their family’s.  I know first hand Officers used the extra money working the races for Christmas gifts each year and counted on having it. That’s were I first meet Shawn. Over the years of working the races Shawn treated our Officers as  his own.  Each year he would reach out to us and never forgot us. I later ended up coming over to MCSO and one of the reasons was Shawn’s leadership and most of all that fact that he cared and treated us with respect. During my years at MCSO I watched Shawn climb the ladder. It was a breath of fresh air to see Someone get promoted that you knew was going to make a difference and most of all never forgot where he came from and never forget the patrol Deputies who are the heart of the agency. I know I will always regret never pulling Shawn aside and telling him how much of a impact he had on my carrier and never forgetting that we may work for difference agencies and be different ranks but we are all one big family.. Thanks Captain for showing me how to do things right.  

RIH Shawn!  I will forever remember your soft spoken voice and cheeky smile.   Even being on different sides of the "mic",  you were a calm voice. We started the same time, my friend, and your time to enjoy life was coming. I cannot be there with your family, MCSO family,  and friends on "your day",  but I know you will be watching all of us!  Your MCSO family will miss you! Until we meet again. 

Shawn was kind & generous with his time and gave so much to all who had the honor of knowing him. 
Please take a few moments to share a story about how you knew Shawn, it will bring great comfort to his immediate family. 
Thank you so very much for your outpouring of love. May God Bless each & every one of you. 


Revelation 21:4 
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away”. 

May Abba Father give you comfort & peace to heal your heart at this time of sorrow.  Know that one day we will  be reunited together for eternity,  and in that day we will rejoice. Be at peace my beloved. 

I had the privilege of working for Shawn and learned a lot in leadership from him. A memory I have of Shawn which shows his great spirit. It was during the beginning of the downtown riots 2020. District 2 under the leadership of Shawn was called upon to work. None of us knew exactly what we were going to be tasked with but it was my job to get our deputies ready and in the right mindset. I began speaking inspiring and challenging words to the troops and I could see in their faces how some were nervous and others were ready to run through walls. Shawn saw this too. Just as I was finishing my talk saying, “lock it in boys”.  Shawn comes in and in true Shawn fashion says (with a big smile on his face) “and have fun!” Of course I was like come on Shawn but, I knew what he had just done. In a moment of so much chaos and unknowns we were about to jump into. Shawn said the right words that brought calm to the troops and got us in the right mindset. The mindset we needed to perform our duties with calm and the upmost respect for the members of our community. So in everything we do and when challenges are presented before us, I remember the words and cheesy smile from Shawn, “and have fun”. I already miss you. My captain, my friend…..my brother!

Shawn was always so helpful. He came to the school and read to the kids. He would take a whole grade level at one time. The students hung on his every word. He influenced many. 
Rick enjoyed talking to him about hunting and his line of work. Even getting to do an eventful ride along 
With love and memories 
Aunt Carrie and Uncle Rick

OBITUARY

Shawn A. Braaten

February 3, 1967 – December 16, 2021

Shadow Mountain Mortuary

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