SHAUN "FUCK NYPD" HAGGARD: 1977-2007

I met Shaun as we were planning shows in Tompkins Square Park in 2006. I was impressed by him right away, sensing a decent guy and that he was for real. During one of our meetings in the park, he got on the case of some crusties because he didn't want a young girl new to the scene getting taken advantage of. I respected him for that.

When we first met at a show in the park earlier that year, he showed me his knuckles, on which he had tattooed the letters "FUCK NYPD." He told me he had been harassed and even beaten at one point by cops who didn't like those letters. We were going to run his story with his knuckle photos in the SHADOW--now these shots are part of his obituary. 

I've seen way too many people die way too early because of something as stupid as heroin. If anything is to be learned from Shaun's needless death in February, it is to STOP those we care about from using death drugs. If you really care, you'll intervene BEFORE you lose someone you love, even if they hate you for it. At least they'll be alive. 

Shaun was the genuine article: a truly free spirit, vital, hedonistic, full of positive energy, protective of others, sincere, a good soul, with countless friends all over the country.

Shaun lived the life he loved and he loved the life he lived. He was a vital force in our community and we will all miss him dearly....

--Chris Flash