Army Sgt. 1st Class Christopher D. Shaw

Died September 29, 2009 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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37, of Markham, Ill.; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Fort Lewis, Wash.; died Sept. 29 in Jolo Island, Philippines, from the detonation of an improvised explosive device. Also killed was Staff Sgt. Jack M. Martin III.

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Put aside athletics for active-duty Army

The Associated Press

Christopher D. Shaw was fast, a former standout runner at Natchez High School in Natchez, Miss.

“I think he held the state record at one time,” former classmate Kareem West said. “He was maybe one of the best track stars ever at the school.”

That talent earned him a track and field scholarship at Texas Southern University, where he studied history. He enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1994 and put his studies on hold to join active duty the following year.

“He was the best God could have put out here,” Camille Felton said of her oldest son.

Shaw, 37, of Markham, Ill., was killed Sept. 29 on Jolo Island in the Philippines by a bomb buried under the road. Officials said he was part of a task force helping to quell militants there. He was assigned to Fort Lewis, Wash., and it was his second deployment.

“He was a nice, good kid,” said his stepfather, Willie Felton. “He didn’t do anybody any harm.”

Shaw enjoyed motorcycles and talking about sports, but his family was his priority, Felton said.

He is survived by his wife, Attina; five children; his father, mother and stepfather; and two brothers and two sisters.