Herbert Shelton was educated at Matoaca Elementary School and in Petersburg City secondary schools. During the course of his work life, he engaged in many classroom experiences to enhance his knowledge and skills for solving crime that included instruction at the FBI Academy.

The easily-identified passions of Herbert’s life were: His Faith in God the Father and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; his love of Family and Friends; his devotion to his work; and, the joy he had for deer hunting.

Herbert was a life-long member of Matoaca Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School to the male youth of the Church; served as a Deacon to the Church and its community of people; led the Vacation Bible School parade for many years in his Police cruiser; and he secured and counted the church collection plates every Sunday after the service, and readied it for deposit. Additionally, Herbert was privileged to lead his Masonic Lodge #15 AF & AM in Petersburg, Virginia, as Worshipful Master. He was a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Richmond, and the American Masonic Society of Shriners.

Herbert married his high-school sweetheart, Carolyn Pollard Shelton, and together they shared life and made a home that nurtured and guided their two daughters, Marcia A. Shelton and Cindy C. Shelton through childhood, college, and into their adult lives. Herbert and Carolyn were just a few months shy of being married for seventy-two years. His and Carolyn’s hearts were inseparable.

Lt. Herbert Shelton devoted almost thirty-two years to law enforcement with the Chesterfield County Police Department. First, as a uniformed Patrol Officer (1960-1969) and then as Detective with the then Crimes against Persons Unit, followed by his leading the unit as commander of Homicide in the rank of Detective Lieutenant as Commander of Homicide until his retirement in 1992. As one of his men commented: ‘Herbert helped to bring crimes to trial that probably never would have been solved except by his efforts.’ Herbert attributed the success of the unit to the team effort.

Herbert’s hunting family and his friends were his Sussex Hunt Club members. His father, Alvin, founded the Hunt Club in 1938, and over the years Herbert shared a comradery with its members spanning at least seventy-five years of his life. He loved taking care of his hunting dogs, he loved being a dog ‘driver’ during the hunts, and he excelled at being a deer hunter. Being in the woods for hunting was clearly where he discarded the intensity of his work life.

Preceding Herbert in death were his mother, Josephine, and his father, Alvin; his siblings: Louise Shelton Wheeler (Ben); Alvin ‘Bubba’ Shelton, Jr. (Betty Anne); Virginia Shelton Mazza (John); Marion Shelton Mears (Ernest); and, Connie Shelton Mears (Allen).

Siblings that survive Herbert are: Margaret Shelton Krause and John E. Shelton, Sr.; numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews; and the many friends and acquaintances to ever try to count or name.

Recently, our Mother, Carolyn, looked Daddy in the eye and said: ‘Herbert Marshall Shelton, you have always been a good man; and, a good husband and a good father.’ To which he replied in a tone of humility: ‘It is what I wanted to be.’ It is one of the last complete sentences that he was able to speak before not being able to speak understandably.

Herbert Marshall Shelton loved Life and Life loved him back. There is no doubt that he will be deeply missed by both family and friends.

You did Good, Faithful Servant. It is certain that our Heavenly Father is pleased to receive Mom’s Husband, our Daddy and Mentor, and a Friend to all of us into his new life. We count it a blessing and privilege that God gave him to us for these many years . . .

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Matoaca Baptist Church, 6409 River Road, Petersburg, VA 23803. Interment will follow in Southlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday evening, April 20, 2026 at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Matoaca Baptist Church. Online condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.