Captain Quackenbush's
We Will Forever Miss Shauna and Kurt
RECEIVED Tue., Dec. 21, 2004
Dear Editor,
On Dec. 11, 2004, my sister Shauna Jacobson, and brother-in-law, Kurt Jacobson, died tragically in a motorcycle accident ["Many Unanswered Questions in Officers’ Deaths," News, Dec. 17]. Their deaths were horribly traumatic and unexpected, leaving deep and permanent wounds in the hearts and minds of our families. The pain of their deaths has been magnified by the media coverage of the events leading up to the crash, causing an already unbearingly painful event to be even more difficult with which to cope. For those who have shared kind words about my sister and brother-in-law, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Unfortunately, I am also aware of cruel diatribes contained in recent editorials and discussion forums, as well as a spiteful sign posted at the crash site that was thankfully removed. Such negative remarks are pitiless and undeserved, suggesting that they actually deserved to die for one fatal mistake: Kurt’s decision to drive and Shauna’s decision to ride with him while both under the influence of alcohol that night. If you, the citizens of this community, could understand the daily horrors that my sister had to endure, surely you would view her more kindly, instead of with harshness, piety, and judgment. There were countless times in which Shauna had shed tears of sorrow about the dreadful crimes she investigated, distraught over humanity’s capacity for cruelty, as well as outrage for the pain inflicted on innocent victims. Shauna dedicated her life to protect and serve all of Austin’s citizens, even those of you who now have the audacity to attempt to besmirch her reputation or dare to speak ill of her and Kurt.
We completely understand that Kurt and Shauna should not have gotten on the motorcycle that night, as we know that driving under the influence of alcohol is wrong. We are fully aware that police are role models, on and off duty. We, too, also thank God that no one else was injured or killed that night. But, we also implore; who among you have not exercised poor judgment at times? We acknowledge that it was a mistake for them to get on the motorcycle, as taking a taxi that night would have spared their lives and their family and friends unbearable pain. However, as Shauna’s sister, I feel compelled to defend her honor, as her memory deserves so much more than to be reduced to a simple "Don’t Drink and Drive" ad campaign. Likewise, my brother-in-law deserves better, as he had worked hard for many years as a law enforcement officer and had struggled with the unrelenting progression of multiple sclerosis. Ultimately, after the media’s attention to Shauna and Kurt’s story has waned, the majority of the citizens of Austin will forget both the circumstances associated with their untimely death, as well as their significant contributions to Austin and Travis County. However, we the families will have to continue to bear the agony of Shauna and Kurt’s deaths.
As Shauna’s sister, I thought it important to mention that she was greatly loved, and we will forever miss her smile, laughter, intelligence, and passion for life. Shauna was admired by many of her colleagues for her professionalism, attention to detail, efficiency, and integrity. In addition to being an exceptional cop, she was also a mother, a grandmother, a gardener, a poet, and an athlete. Shauna was my mother’s daughter, our sister, our friend, a source of strength and a role model for how to live a more meaningful life, and how to leave this world a better place than before. Those who have known Shauna are indeed better for it. Our families’ loss is also Austin’s loss. Unfortunately, the majority of people do not understand the true extent of this loss, nor do they know of my sister’s relentless efforts to improve this community.
Like the rest of us, Shauna was not perfect; she was human. However, she was genuine, intrinsically unique, spirited, tenacious, talented, and graced with a keen sense of humor. I am proud to be Shauna’s sister and hope to God I can contribute even a fraction of what she accomplished in her 46 years of life to improve this world. We will forever miss her and Kurt and rue our tragic loss on Dec. 11, 2004.
On Dec. 11, 2004, my sister Shauna Jacobson, and brother-in-law, Kurt Jacobson, died tragically in a motorcycle accident ["Many Unanswered Questions in Officers’ Deaths," News, Dec. 17]. Their deaths were horribly traumatic and unexpected, leaving deep and permanent wounds in the hearts and minds of our families. The pain of their deaths has been magnified by the media coverage of the events leading up to the crash, causing an already unbearingly painful event to be even more difficult with which to cope. For those who have shared kind words about my sister and brother-in-law, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Unfortunately, I am also aware of cruel diatribes contained in recent editorials and discussion forums, as well as a spiteful sign posted at the crash site that was thankfully removed. Such negative remarks are pitiless and undeserved, suggesting that they actually deserved to die for one fatal mistake: Kurt’s decision to drive and Shauna’s decision to ride with him while both under the influence of alcohol that night. If you, the citizens of this community, could understand the daily horrors that my sister had to endure, surely you would view her more kindly, instead of with harshness, piety, and judgment. There were countless times in which Shauna had shed tears of sorrow about the dreadful crimes she investigated, distraught over humanity’s capacity for cruelty, as well as outrage for the pain inflicted on innocent victims. Shauna dedicated her life to protect and serve all of Austin’s citizens, even those of you who now have the audacity to attempt to besmirch her reputation or dare to speak ill of her and Kurt.
We completely understand that Kurt and Shauna should not have gotten on the motorcycle that night, as we know that driving under the influence of alcohol is wrong. We are fully aware that police are role models, on and off duty. We, too, also thank God that no one else was injured or killed that night. But, we also implore; who among you have not exercised poor judgment at times? We acknowledge that it was a mistake for them to get on the motorcycle, as taking a taxi that night would have spared their lives and their family and friends unbearable pain. However, as Shauna’s sister, I feel compelled to defend her honor, as her memory deserves so much more than to be reduced to a simple "Don’t Drink and Drive" ad campaign. Likewise, my brother-in-law deserves better, as he had worked hard for many years as a law enforcement officer and had struggled with the unrelenting progression of multiple sclerosis. Ultimately, after the media’s attention to Shauna and Kurt’s story has waned, the majority of the citizens of Austin will forget both the circumstances associated with their untimely death, as well as their significant contributions to Austin and Travis County. However, we the families will have to continue to bear the agony of Shauna and Kurt’s deaths.
As Shauna’s sister, I thought it important to mention that she was greatly loved, and we will forever miss her smile, laughter, intelligence, and passion for life. Shauna was admired by many of her colleagues for her professionalism, attention to detail, efficiency, and integrity. In addition to being an exceptional cop, she was also a mother, a grandmother, a gardener, a poet, and an athlete. Shauna was my mother’s daughter, our sister, our friend, a source of strength and a role model for how to live a more meaningful life, and how to leave this world a better place than before. Those who have known Shauna are indeed better for it. Our families’ loss is also Austin’s loss. Unfortunately, the majority of people do not understand the true extent of this loss, nor do they know of my sister’s relentless efforts to improve this community.
Like the rest of us, Shauna was not perfect; she was human. However, she was genuine, intrinsically unique, spirited, tenacious, talented, and graced with a keen sense of humor. I am proud to be Shauna’s sister and hope to God I can contribute even a fraction of what she accomplished in her 46 years of life to improve this world. We will forever miss her and Kurt and rue our tragic loss on Dec. 11, 2004.
Thank you,
Andrea Hester, MA
Norman, Okla.
Andrea Hester, MA
Norman, Okla.
