Mashawn Jermaine “Shawn” Plummer was born June 21, 1991. He attended Oliver Wendell Holmes, a Chicago Public School, for his elementary education. Mashawn loved comic books, especially Marvels; Iron Man and Spiderman were his favorite. For three years, he attended Hales Franciscan Private High School, one of only two all black male high schools in Chicago at that time. At Hales, the school creed was “Unto Perfect Manhood.” Mashawn would come to seek and strive every day to fulfill those words.

After leaving Hales, he attended Eisenhower High School in Blue Island for one year to become a stronger football player. He played football for and graduated from Quincy University. Shawn was a diehard Chicago Bears fan; win or lose, he was riding with the Bears. He was a deep thinker and mature beyond his 30 years. He was our hero! Shawn loved family and showed his love every time he could. He was that ray of light that brightened any room. He was a momma’s boy and didn’t care who knew.

Mashawn always knew he wanted a career of service, and that led him to the Chicago Fire Department. He truly loved being a firefighter/EMT. He passed the firefighter/EMT exam in his third year of college and waited patiently for over six years to be called to service. During those years he worked in logistics management. At the fire academy, Mashawn helped many fellow candidates study for their exams and motivated them mentally and physically to not give up during their training. Although his career ended far too soon, he was a hero to many and will never be forgotten.

December 1, 2021, was his one-year anniversary; he was so proud. He told his mom and dad that he was finally doing a job with purpose and giving back by making a difference through his service as a firefighter/EMT. Mashawn was tragically injured on December 16, 2021 and succumbed to those injuries five days later. He had a goal to work hard and someday rise to the rank of chief. Mashawn also planned to start a football program that would mentor disadvantaged boys on the southside of Chicago and teach them about careers as a first responder.

Mashawn leaves to cherish his memory a deeply grieving family and many friends that miss him dearly. Life will never be the same without him, but we all take solace in knowing he was happy being a firefighter. CFD allowed our Superhero to do what he loved. Mashawn coined the phrase MTAP: Make Them All Proud. He did just that every day of his life!