Stephen J. Shute

STEPHEN J. SHUTE, was called home to God on Sunday, October 20, 2024 in the presence of family
members. Steve is survived by his wife of over 35 years Teresa Shute (nee McBride) and his
daughters Mackenzie Shute-Hails and Samantha Shute, and his grandson Noah Hails. Steve is also
survived by his sister Joan Snell of Irvington, New York, and his brother Peter Shute of Yonkers, New
York, along with many loving nieces and nephews.
Steve was born in La Jolla, California on January 12, 1944, the elder son of the late Ruth Shute (nee
Alley) and the late James Shute, a retired Marine Corps Colonel. While growing up, Steve moved
around the country with his family to various military locations including Hawaii following in the
assignments of his Marine Corps Colonel father.
After Steve graduated with a teaching degree in 1966 from Morehead State University in Morehead
Kentucky, he taught English in the Baltimore County, Maryland school system. During the summers
he worked as a lifeguard and a sailing instructor.
On October 20, 1969, Steve entered on duty as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, a position he held until his retirement in January, 2001. While working, Steve also
completed a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice at night from Temple University in Philadelphia.
Steve was incredibly talented and smart but modest and unassuming. During the 31 years Steve
worked with the FBI he held many positions and attained many certifications to include Certified
General Police Instructor, Certified Firearms Instructor, Certified Defensive Tactics Instructor, Special
Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team Training Coordinator, SWAT Helo-Rappel Tactical Air Operations
Instructor, Fitness Instructor and Coordinator, Police Training Coordinator, FBI National Academy
Coordinator, and Principal Tactical Instructor. Besides working on many successful investigations
relating to white collar crime, public corruption, organized crime, bank robberies, drug and fugitive
cases, and foreign counter intelligence, Steve was a Defensive Tactics Instructor, and he continuously
taught police training courses throughout the United States, and internationally, having taught a one-
week course in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Steve also served in the position of Principal Firearms
Instructor for the entire Philadelphia FBI Division.
As much as Steve epitomized the ideal classic G-man, he surprisingly fell in love with Teresa, an
accountant-attorney who could be considered the classic nerdy G-woman, and they married in 1989
and have lovingly partnered together for over 35 years as only opposites attract.
Following FBI service, Steve taught a course in criminal justice as an Adjunct Professor at Camden
County College but then ventured onto his second career in 2004 working many years for the
Homeland Security Corporation in the newly formed Federal Flight Deck Officers (FFDO) Program
which allowed trained pilots to fly armed as an added security measure on flights. Steve worked as
one of the Firearms Instructors for the scheduled FFDO semi-annual Firearms Re-qualification
Training Sessions for the Philadelphia area, under the direction of Lockheed Martin and the Federal
Air Marshals.
Steve was a member of the FOP Lodge in Berlin, New Jersey, and also had been a member of the
Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission (MPOETC), and the Southeastern Chiefs
of Police Association. Steve was a member of the FBI National Academy Associates, and the
International Association of Police.
Steve and his wife Teresa and their daughter Samantha are parishioners of the St. Joan of Arc Catholic
Church in Marlton, NJ.
Friends are invited to greet the family 10-10:45am on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at St. Joan of Arc Church, 100
Willow Bend Rd., Marlton, NJ. A eulogy will begin at 10:45am, followed by the Funeral Mass at 11am. Burial
will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Stephen's memory to your favorite charity.