Staff Sergeant Sterling Matthias Shelton, a member of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Special Operations Group, died October 8, 2026, after a 15-month battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was 29.
DPS announced his death Friday, saying in a statement posted to social media: “The Texas Department of Public Safety mourns the passing of Staff Sergeant Sterling Shelton following his courageous battle with cancer. We honor his service and the lives he touched throughout his career. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and DPS family during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Sergeant Shelton. Your service will never be forgotten.”
Shelton served seven years with DPS, four of them with the Special Operations Group’s SRT-5 unit. His illness surfaced in July 2025, when symptoms that initially looked like heat stroke led doctors to find a 6-centimeter brain tumor. He was diagnosed with grade 4 astrocytoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.
He underwent multiple brain surgeries along with chemotherapy and radiation while continuing to fight the disease, determined to spend time with his wife, Raven, and their two young children, Ember Joy and Tyler Vance, according to a post by Fox San Antonio reporter Ryan Wolf.
Shelton spent his final days at home, surrounded by family, friends and his SRT-5 teammates, known to one another as “Tribe 5.” His wife Raven wrote after his death: “It is the greatest privilege and honor to be your wife and to be the one to walk you to the other side. I will tell the kids about you, we will keep going, and we will carry your strength with us every day.”
Outside of his DPS career, Shelton was an ultramarathoner and dedicated family man who valued being greeted by his wife and children after operations. During his cancer treatment, he was awarded an honorary black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The Texas Municipal Police Association also paid tribute to Shelton. “Staff Sgt. Shelton dedicated his career to serving and protecting the people of Texas,” the association said. “His commitment to duty, his fellow officers, and the communities he served will not be forgotten.”
Shelton is survived by his wife, Raven; daughter, Ember Joy; son, Tyler Vance; his parents, Blain and Stacie; and his siblings, Spencer, Summer and Ciera.
Minton-Chatwell Funeral Directors in Borger, Texas, is handling funeral arrangements.
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