ELWOOD, Ind. — People in Elwood gathered Monday to mark the first anniversary of the death of Ofc. Noah Shahnavaz.
The 24-year-old Elwood police officer was killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop on July 31, 2022.
During Monday's ceremony, a one-mile stretch of State Road 37 was dedicated in his honor as the "Officer Noah Jacob Shahnavaz Memorial Mile." According to our partners at The Herald Bulletin, the stretch runs south from the intersection with State Road 13 on the south side of Elwood.
Shahnavaz was a U.S. Army veteran and had served the Elwood Police Department for 11 months when he was killed.
Matthew Shahnavaz, Noah's father, said all he wanted was to make sure his son was never forgotten, and it means a lot that everyone showed up Monday for their son.
"A very somber moment turned into laughter and remembrance, and that's really what this sign is all about, remembering Noah," Matthew said. "Making sure that he's never forgotten, and hopefully folks that haven't even heard about his story will see the sign, look up his name and inspire them in some way."
Even in all their grief, Noah's parents realize this moment is bigger than them.
"All these officers who really sacrifice their lives, they do things we would never do. They run toward danger, we run away from it," said Noah's mother, Laurie Shahnavaz. "Just knowing that we have people who put their lives on the line for us, they deserve every single respect that our country and our state and our cities can give them."
This road sign is a symbol of honor and remembrance, something his parents hope will carry on for generations.