Shawn Giles was born November 20, 1969, in Erie, Pennsylvania, to Edward Giles and the late Barbara (Ecker) Warner. Growing up in a small town, Shawn loved wrestling, playing football, and hanging out with his friends. He graduated from North East High School in 1989 and enlisted in the United States Army. He served from 1989-1993. He was stationed in Germany and planned to visit there again one day.

Shawn joined the volunteer company, Fuller Hose Company #1 in North East, in December 1999. While serving his probation period, he completed Essentials of Firefighting and Pumps 1 classes. In 2004, he earned his First Responder certification. He attended many other classes to help him improve his firefighting skills to serve the community. He was on the building committee, was a lieutenant, and performed countless other jobs to help the fire hall. Shawn resigned from Fuller in 2008, as he relocated to a nearby town, but was granted honorary status. He continued to help out with fundraising events such as the annual North East Fireman’s Cherry Fest, held every July.

When Shawn moved back to his hometown of North East, he reapplied to Fuller Hose, serving as a firefighter/fire police. In November 2021, he received his certification as a Fire Police Officer for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Shawn was killed in the line of duty on Sunday, August 20, 2023, while directing traffic at a minor motor vehicle accident. Shawn was struck at a high rate of speed by an individual with prior driving infractions, throwing him into the air and killing him instantly. Shawn was the first volunteer firefighter killed in the line of duty since the inception of Fuller Hose Company #1 on December 31, 1885.

Shawn has been dubbed the gentle giant by his wife of only 11 years, Adele Burnett- Giles. According to Adele, “Shawn had a very soft-spoken quiet nature about him, but when he walked into a room you knew he was there because he was always lending a hand, doing more than his share.” Shawn was a stepfather to Alyssa DiCarlo (Chris) and Alex Burnett (Ellen). He was also Papa to grandson, Lucas, who was just starting to say “Papa” when Shawn would walk into the room.

Shawn will be missed by all who knew him. His passing has left a hole in many hearts. His wife, stepchildren, grandson, siblings, father, friends, and coworkers continue to miss him and talk about him daily. He was a gentle giant that will not be forgotten. Shawn left this earthly world doing something that he was proud of and loved. May he be an angel watching over all first responders, keeping them safe from harm.