FARGO (KFGO/KVRR) — A little over a year after Shane Netterville was killed by a Fargo police officer, his family says the Fargo cemetery where he is buried is keeping them from honoring him the way they’d like to.
Netterville’s brother, Ryan, created a memorial to honor Shane saying, “he deserves something nice especially since it just wasn’t like he just died. He was murdered.”
Last month, the family was planning to gather before the one-year anniversary of Shane’s death, but someone told Netterville that the memorial was gone.
Netterville said he had a base on the memorial to anchor it. That was snapped off. The wood bottom was split, and screws were broken.
“I think he probably just grabbed it and threw it in a wood pile or garbage pile,” Netterville said.
After the family complained, the memorial was put back in time for the anniversary, but not in its original condition.
Netterville said they were never contacted, and added that cemetery employees know how to get ahold of them. Netterville contacted the people responsible multiple times for an explanation.
Jeff Baer of Boulger Funeral Home said no foreign materials, including wood, are allowed and only grass is allowed on graves.
Shane’s fiance, Lindsay Stroh, said other memorials were at gravesites and she asked why they were allowed to stay up.
“He said it’s not supposed to,” Stroh said. “Nothing was done with the other ones except for Shane’s.”
The family said they wanted someone from the cemetery to contact them before taking anything handmade away.
Baer said the memorial remained at the site for a full year.
Rev. Karen Van Fossen said they are still pushing for an independent investigation into Shane’s killing.
“The Native American commission, in their last meeting, voted to affirm their original decision to call on the City commission to hold and fund an independent investigation,” Fossen said.
On Monday, Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney said he received a text from Chief David Zibolski, who said he would look further into the matter.
The family wants to keep Shane’s legacy alive by sharing his story because they feel authorities are sweeping it under the rug.
“I just want my brother to be left alone,” Netterville said.
