It has probably been at least a year, maybe two since I last saw him. And I knew where to find him as I left the press box at Wayne Jamison Field during a Friday evening football game.

 

Without fail, sitting in a chair near the main entrance of the press box would be Marvin Shelton. He would have his hat on, his jacket, and generally his trusted cane by his side.

 

A lot of people, myself included, made it a point to say hello to Marvin, well into his 80s at the time. The discussion ended the same every time.

 

Me: “It’s good to see you again Marvin.” Mavin: “It’s good to be seen.”

 

I have been thinking about my last encounter with Marvin for a few weeks. I fully understand my last encounter with him was, indeed, the final one.

 

As most of you know, Marvin Pratt Shelton passed away last month. He passed on Oct. 21 to be exact at the age of 89.

 

It should be noted that Marvin would be sitting in that chair in his role as a member of Bridgeport’s VIPS – Volunteers in Police Service. It is the role so many in the community may remember him from, and it is the role in which I will discuss in this blog.

 

Yet before going there, to limit Marvin Shelton’s life on the community front to just as a founding member of VIPS would be shortchanging him. His obituary, which can be found HERE, shows much more, including the fact he was a veteran of the United States Air Force.

 

I will touch on a few. His impact on Bridgeport was substantial, as is noted by the fact he was chosen as a Benedum Fellow. The award, which has not been given in a number of years, went to individuals – usually from or with direct ties to the city – that impacted Bridgeport in the most positive and deep ways.

 

Marvin was involved with the Benedum Festival. He was on the Bridgeport Emergency Service Council. Marvin was involved and recognized statewide for his contributions.

 

Yet so many know the man who often spoke at City Council meetings to voice concern or approval. Eve more, as noted above, knew him as a member of the VIPS.

 

His time with VIPS goes back to when it was not even called VIPS. Current Police Chief Mark Rogers said the program got started in 2006 and was called the Bridgeport Citizens Auxiliary Patrol Services (or CAPS).

 

“Marvin was part of the original group when it was CAPS. I remember because (former Police Chief) Jack (Clayton) had me teaching topics to the group each week,” said Rogers. “Marvin was there, (the late) Harry Nehrig was there, (former City Council member) Mike Conley was there, and a lot of people you could easily call community leaders.”

 

Rogers said from 2006 until he could no longer physically be able to be involved, Marvin Shelton was intimately involved. The only thing that changed under Shelton’s tenue was the switch from CAPS to VIPS, which Rogers said was more appropriate for anyone thinking the term “auxiliary” mean the volunteers had “sworn-in” powers.

 

Instead, the real power of what Shelton did in helping be the ongoing regular for VIPS was to aid the department. Rogers said it was true from the first day the group began assisting and it is true today under the direction of Lt. Jimmy Petroski who Rogers said has roughly two dozen individuals involved.

 

“I don’t know if people realize how important the tasks they oversee are. They deal with a lot of time-consuming tasks that at times could impact the direct goal of public safety,” said Rogers. “Not that what they are doing is not important, but you could go manage calls without neglecting things that needed to get done.”

 

Rogers said that role increases frequently. The VIPS handle funeral escorts, finger printing of certain individuals, traffic control at events, serving on patrols to see if anything is amiss in neighborhoods, and more.

 

“When they take that off your plate, and Marvin was there for so many years, it allowed us to be proactive in many situations,” said Rogers. “Marvin was the regular since the beginning.”

 

There was one other thing Rogers said he appreciated about Marvin Shelton. He said he was not worried about upsetting someone if he thought it was bad for the community.

 

“I had never met Marvin before those classes, and I saw the true love for his community by saying immediately what was on his mind if he thought something was a problem for the community,” Rogers said. “We’re in a day and age where some may refrain from saying something to avoid hurting someone’s feelings, but Marvin crossed that barrier without thinking about it.

 

“He didn’t do that because he was mean spirited. He wasn’t worried about stepping on toes when he did that, he was worried about his community,” Rogers continued. “That was a unique thing about him, and it paid off, and continues to pay off, for Bridgeport. The main thing is he just wanted to help.”

 

And he did. Rogers said when Shelton’s health no longer allowed him to drive a VIPS car, others involved would pick him up, get him to where he needed to be, and make sure he was comfortable.

 

“That was thing. He just wanted to be out there and part of the community. That was what he was about; the love of his community,” said Rogers. “He was selfless and didn’t want credit either. He just wanted to make sure the next generation would always have it better than he had it. By every measure, I think it’s safe to say he succeeded, and the community is indebted to him.”

 

Indeed, they are. It was always good seeing you, Marvin.

 

Rest easy my friend. Your work here is done.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Marvin Shelton as he worked at a Bridgeport High School home football contest. In the second photo, from 2018, he is shown third from right, as the VIPS were recognized by Bridgeport City Council. In the bottom photo, Shelton is shown, foreground, taking part in a 2015 City Council meeting.