Harley Roscoe Shaffer Jr. Dies at 80 in Appomattox, VA: Vietnam War Army Veteran, Fairfax & Appomattox Police Officer, McLean Volunteer Firefighter, Deacon & Sunday School Teacher at Glenn Memorial Baptist Church – Survived by Karin D. Robertson, Waylon Shaffer, Emily Shaffer, Grandchildren Gavyn & Makenna Robertson; Preceded by Wife Sally Bartley Shaffer, Sons Larry & Infant Son; Funeral April 21 with Pastor Jim Schwerdtfeger, Burial at Church Cemetery.

A Life of Courage, Service, and Faith

APPOMATTOX, Va. – In the rolling hills of Central Virginia, where history remembers the end of a civil war, a different kind of hero lived out his final days. Harley Roscoe Shaffer Jr. , 80, of Appomattox, passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Lynchburg General Hospital. He died as he had lived: quietly, with dignity, surrounded by the love of family and the quiet respect of a community that knew him as a man who had given everything.

Harley was not a man who sought attention. He was a soldier, a police officer, a firefighter, a deacon, a Sunday school teacher, a husband, a father, and a grandfather. In each of these roles, he embodied the same core values: duty, honor, integrity, and an unshakable faith in God. His passing marks the end of an era for the Shaffer family and for the towns of Fairfax, McLean, and Appomattox – all of which were blessed by his service.

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Early Years: A Son of McLean, Virginia

Born on September 2, 1945, in McLean, Virginia, Harley was the son of the late Madeline Moore Shaffer and Harley Roscoe Shaffer Sr. He grew up in a post‑World War II America, in a household that valued hard work, patriotism, and community. McLean, then a quiet suburban enclave just outside Washington, D.C., was a place where neighbors knew one another and children played outside until the streetlights came on.

Young Harley was an active, curious boy. He attended local schools and, like many of his generation, felt a deep sense of duty to his country. The Vietnam War was escalating, and when he came of age, he did not hesitate. He enlisted in the United States Army and served his nation with honor during one of the most controversial and difficult conflicts in American history.

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Vietnam War: A Soldier’s Sacrifice

Details of Harley’s exact unit and deployment have been kept private by the family, but those who knew him recall that he rarely spoke of his time in Vietnam. Like many veterans, he carried his experiences silently, letting his actions speak louder than words. What is known is that he served with distinction, earning commendations for his conduct under pressure.

The Vietnam War left deep scars on those who fought. Harley returned home not to parades or gratitude, but to a country divided. Yet he never complained. Instead, he channeled his sense of duty into a new mission: protecting and serving his fellow citizens on American soil.

After his honorable discharge, Harley carried the discipline and courage of a soldier into every subsequent chapter of his life.

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A Career of Public Protection: Police Officer and Firefighter

Harley’s post‑military career was defined by a single, driving purpose: to keep others safe. He first served as a police officer in Fairfax County, Virginia – one of the busiest and most demanding law enforcement jurisdictions in the state. Fairfax officers deal with everything from traffic stops to violent crime, and Harley faced it all with calm professionalism. Colleagues remember him as a man who never raised his voice, who de‑escalated tense situations, and who always made time to help new recruits learn the ropes.

Later, after relocating to Appomattox, he continued his law enforcement career as an officer with the Appomattox County Police Department. In a smaller, rural community, the role of a police officer is different – more personal, more intertwined with daily life. Harley became a familiar face, someone residents trusted to resolve disputes, respond to emergencies, and mentor young people.

But his service did not stop there. Long before he wore a badge, Harley had also served as a firefighter with the McLean Volunteer Fire Department. Volunteering as a firefighter is a calling that demands selflessness, bravery, and a willingness to run toward danger when others run away. Harley embodied all of those traits. Whether fighting a structure fire, responding to a car accident, or training new volunteers, he gave his time and energy freely.

In total, Harley spent more than four decades in public safety – a remarkable record of service that few can match.

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Faith at the Center: Glenn Memorial Baptist Church

For Harley, service to country and community was an expression of a deeper commitment: his faith. He was a devoted member of Glenn Memorial Baptist Church in Appomattox, where he served for many years as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. In these roles, he guided his fellow church members through scripture, offered counsel to those in crisis, and helped maintain the spiritual health of the congregation.

His pastor, Jim Schwerdtfeger, who will officiate the funeral, described Harley as “a rock of the church – not flashy, but steady. He taught God’s word not just with his mouth, but with his life. When someone was in need, Harley was there. When there was work to be done, Harley was the first to pick up a hammer or a broom.”

Harley’s Sunday school classes were known for their warmth and depth. He had a gift for making ancient texts feel relevant, for connecting the struggles of biblical figures to the everyday challenges his students faced. Many of his former students, now adults themselves, have shared memories of his patience, his wisdom, and his gentle humor.

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The Love of His Life: Sally Bartley Shaffer

Harley was the beloved husband of the late Sally Bartley Shaffer. The two met in the 1960s, when Harley was a young soldier home on leave. Sally was a bright, kind‑hearted woman who shared his values and his faith. They married and built a life together that lasted more than five decades, until Sally’s passing.

Friends and family describe their marriage as a true partnership. Sally supported Harley through his military service, his law enforcement career, and his volunteer work. She was the anchor of the home, raising their children and creating a warm, welcoming environment. When Sally passed away, a part of Harley went with her. Those close to him say he never stopped loving her, and that in his final years, he often spoke of being “ready to see Sally again.”

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Family: A Legacy of Love and Loss

Harley was a devoted father. He is survived by his children: Karin D. Robertson and her husband Curt; Waylon Shaffer; and Emily Shaffer. He was a proud grandfather to Gavyn Robertson and Makenna Robertson, who brought him immense joy in his later years. He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who will cherish his memory.

Tragically, Harley also experienced the pain of outliving two of his children. He was preceded in death by an infant son and by his son Larry Shaffer. The loss of a child is an unimaginable grief, and those who knew Harley say he bore it with the same quiet strength he brought to every challenge. He leaned on his faith, on Sally, and on his church family to carry him through the darkest days.

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Final Days: Lynchburg General Hospital

In the weeks leading up to his death, Harley’s health declined. He was admitted to Lynchburg General Hospital, where he received compassionate care from the medical staff. His children took turns staying by his side, reading Scripture to him, and holding his hand.

On the afternoon of April 16, 2026, surrounded by family, Harley Roscoe Shaffer Jr. passed away peacefully. The official cause was complications related to age and underlying health conditions, but his family noted that he seemed at peace, ready to reunite with Sally and his sons.

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Funeral Arrangements: Honoring a Hero

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Glenn Memorial Baptist Church in Appomattox. Officiating will be Pastor Jim Schwerdtfeger, who will deliver a message of hope and resurrection, celebrating Harley’s life and faith.

Burial with military honors will follow in the church cemetery – a fitting final resting place for a man who spent his life in service to others. The cemetery, shaded by old oaks, is just a few hundred yards from the church where Harley taught Sunday school for so many years.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service (from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM) at the church, giving the community an opportunity to pay their respects and share memories.

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Memorial Contributions: Continuing His Legacy

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to:

· The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund – honoring Harley’s decades of police service.
· Glenn Memorial Baptist Church Youth Ministries – supporting the next generation of young people to grow in faith, just as Harley did as a Sunday school teacher.

These organizations reflect the two pillars of Harley’s life: protecting the community and nurturing the spirit.

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Community Tributes: Remembering a Quiet Giant

Word of Harley’s passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes across Appomattox and beyond.

The Appomattox County Police Department issued a statement: “Officer Shaffer served our community with distinction. He was the kind of officer who made you feel safer just knowing he was on duty. We extend our deepest condolences to his family.”

The McLean Volunteer Fire Department posted on social media: “We have lost a brother. Harley Shaffer served with courage and humility. Rest easy, Harley – we’ll take it from here.”

A former Fairfax police colleague, now retired, recalled: “Harley was the real deal. He didn’t have an ego. He just wanted to do the right thing. I learned more from watching him than from any training class.”

Neighbors in Appomattox remember him as the man who would wave from his porch, who never missed a church potluck, and who always had a kind word for children. “He was a hero, but he never acted like one,” said a neighbor. “That’s what made him truly great.”

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A Life Well Lived

Harley Roscoe Shaffer Jr. was not a general or a celebrity. He was not a millionaire or a politician. He was a soldier, a police officer, a firefighter, a deacon, a husband, a father, and a friend. He lived a life of quiet, consistent integrity – showing up, doing the work, and loving the people God placed in his path.

In an age that often celebrates flash over substance, Harley’s life stands as a reminder of what truly matters: faith, family, service, and love. He has now joined Sally, his sons, and his Savior in a place where there is no more pain, no more sorrow, and no more war.

Rest in peace, Harley Roscoe Shaffer Jr. Your watch is ended. Your legacy endures.