'We were at the crash scene - and we knew'

'We were at the crash scene - and we knew'

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By Jen Wahl

CALDWELL - The morning of Shawn Heckathorn's deadly accident, parents Robert and Connie Heckathorn say they knew something was wrong.

"We were at the crash scene and we saw the truck and we knew," Heckathorn said. "But we knew before that - I knew before that. It was a feeling."

Support from the family, friends and the community and Shawn's memory are what's helping Shawn's mother cope with losing her youngest son.

"He wouldn't want us to sit back and be not all there," Heckathorn said. "He would want us to say OK, grieve and now move on."

The 17-year-old was killed when his car collided with a school bus Wednesday.

Shawn's parents tell 2 News the Caldwell High senior was a competitive football player who loved fishing. But most of all, they say he had a huge heart for his family.

"That's something about Shawn that just makes a father proud," he said.

Friends were also a big part of Shawn's life. So earlier this summer, when fellow classmate Travis Jakovac drowned in an Emmett canal, Shawn was one of the first to create a memorial in his friend's memory.

And he talked with 2 News in June of 2009.

"He was too young," Heckathorn said about Travis Jakovac. "He didn't even get to graduate. I'm just going to miss him."

Tuesday, a community that's already lost one young life, will say goodbye to another.

But Monday night, the Heckathorn's are remembering better times, because that's what they know Shawn would've wanted.

The Heckathorn's want the community to know how much they appreciate your support. They've released a new mailing address for those of you who continue to send thoughts and prayers.

It's P.O. Box 422 Caldwell, Idaho 83606.
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