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NOTE: This article is about Shepherd from the rebooted Call of Duty: Modern Warfare sub-series. The original version can be found here: General Shepherd.
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“
Come in. Laswell. (Laswell: General Shepherd.) Boy, I know that look. Are we at war? (Laswell: You would be the first to know, sir.) Damn right I would. Talk to me.
„
~ General Shepherd to Kate Laswell.
“
Graves...? (Price: Yeah.) Hahaha... He's a dog with a bone, and I highly recommend you don't try and take it.
„
~ Shepherd threatening Captain Price, whilst showing his true colors.
“
Oh, I am not gonna beg for my life. Not from you or anybody else, Captain.
„
~ Shepherd to Captain Price, his last words.
General Herschel Shepherd is one of the two secondary antagonists (alongside Phillip Graves) of the Call of Duty franchise's rebooted Modern Warfare sub-series.
He is a U.S. Army general who assisted Captain John Price in creating Task Force 141 to deal with terrorist threats. However, he later becomes their enemy after they learned he covered up knowing how Hassan Zyani got three ballistic missiles. He betrayed Task Force 141 when they are closing uncovering the truth that he and Phillip Graves hidden. After the missiles were destroyed and Hassan Zyani's death, Shepherd went off the grid and goes hiding to avoid the US Government and Task Force 141 for his actions. However, he continued to assist Graves during the commander's war against Konni and hunt for Vladimir Makarov.
He was soon found by 141 during their hunt for Makarov, and made a deal with the general to clear the ULF's name in exchange that he could return home. Following 141's failed operation to eliminate Makarov in London after Soap's death, Shepherd was assassinated by John Price for his betrayal from Las Almas as well as his negligence that led to Soap's death.
In 2019, after General Barkov's death and Victor Zakhaev gained interest in taking over his throne, General Shepherd gathered information on three individuals per Captain John Price's request: Kyle "Gaz" Garrick, Johnny "Soap" MacTavish, and Simon "Ghost" Riley. With assistance from C.I.A. agent Kate Laswell, the four of them went on to form Task Force 141, a counter-terrorism unit which then fell under Shepherd's command shortly after Price killed Zakhaev in Verdansk.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II[]
Assassination of General Ghorbrani[]
Shepherd oversaw the assassination of General Ghorbrani, the commander of the Iranian Quds Force, on July 15, 2022. The operation was jointly carried out by Task Force 141 and the PMC Shadow Company, which was led by Commander Phillip Graves. Ghorbrani had traveled to a site outside Al Mazrah in the United Republic of Adal to purchase weapons from the Russian military. Ghost scouted the meeting and confirmed Ghorbrani's presence. Shepherd then ordered Graves to carry out a missile strike, which killed Ghorbrani and the Russians.
Arms Smuggling[]
Meanwhile, Shepherd had been working with Shadow Company to conduct an off-the-books operation smuggling American weapons to allies in the Middle East to aid them against the Russians. While Shepherd established this operation with good intentions, it was nonetheless illegal, and proved to have dire consequences.
In August 2022, a Shadow Company convoy transporting a shipment of three missiles was ambushed by Russian PMC Konni, who seized the missiles under the employment of Russian Ultranationalists. The Russians then gave them to Major Hassan Zyani, Ghorbrani's second-in-command, who was coordinating with Al-Qatala to carry out a revenge plot against the United States. However, Shepherd knew only that the missiles had been taken, not by whom, and over the following months he attempted to bury all documentation of his illicit activities while having Shadow Company quietly search for the missiles.
Hunting Hassan Zyani[]
In October 2022, Task Force 141 stumbled across one of the stolen American missiles during a mission to capture Zyani in a warehouse near Al Mazrah held by Al-Qatala. Shepherd and Agent Laswell were overseeing the mission from his office in Washington, D.C. Laswell suggested that quickly analyzing the missile's systems could determine how it fell into Zyani's hands, but Shepherd ordered the missile's immediate destruction, arguing it was too dangerous to risk even the smallest chance of the enemy reclaiming it. Laswell acquiesced to her superior officer's order, but began digging into Department of Defense files under the general's nose to learn more about the background of the missiles.
Seeing the opportunity to eliminate the missiles, protect his reputation, and neutralize Zyani all at once, Shepherd assigned Task Force 141 to cooperate with Shadow Company in the hunt for Zyani. The Mexican special forces unit Los Vaqueros was also looped into the operation after Zyani was found to be working with the Las Almas Cartel. Zyani had been paying the cartel to smuggle two of the missiles out of the Middle East by way of Spain to be used in attacks on the United States. One missile was set up on an abandoned oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico that the cartel had been using for its drug running, and was intended for a strike on New Orleans. The other missile was brought into the United States at Chicago and kept in Arch Industries Tower, which was owned by a cartel shell company, and its target was to be Washington, D.C. The cartel was fully aware of what they were smuggling and what the missiles would be used for, with its leader, Valeria Garza, reasoning that spurring America to redouble its war on terror would distract it from countering the cartels' drug business.
Task Force 141, Shadow Company, and Los Vaqueros captured Garza in Las Almas to interrogate her for the locations of Zyani and the missiles. Garza cut a deal to provide the intel piecemeal in exchange for her release. She first revealed the oil rig missile, which the joint forces successfully destroyed. At this point, Shepherd was confident that the final missile and Zyani would soon be neutralized, and he. out of paranoia, moved to cut Task Force 141 and Los Vaqueros out of the mission so that Shadow Company could finish cleaning up his mess with no one else the wiser about his involvement. Shepherd ordered Shadow Company to seize Los Vaqueros' headquarters facility to use as a base; when Task Force 141 and Los Vaqueros resisted, Shadow Company detained Colonel Alejandro Vargas and his men, and attempted to kill Riley and MacTavish, who went on the run in Las Almas and managed to elude Graves' forces.
Upon escaping from the city and freeing Los Vaqueros, Laswell and Price informed the group why Shepherd had turned against them: Laswell's research had uncovered redacted files detailing the general's off-the-books arms deals. The two units temporarily banded together and formed Ghost Team, then retook the headquarters and killed Commander Graves. Garza, who was still in custody in the headquarters, was confronted again, and she divulged that Zyani was with the last missile in Chicago. Task Force 141, with the help of US MARSOC Marines, infiltrated Arch Industries Tower on November 4, 2022 and killed Zyani. Although Zyani managed to launch the missile before his demise, MacTavish successfully detonated it mid-flight before it impacted Washington.
Off the Grid[]
After Task Force 141 discovered Shepherd's malfeasance, the general went off the grid in order to avoid the US authorities and Task Force 141. His whereabouts are currently unknown. According to Graves, Shepherd has been occupied.
In "Shadow Siege", Shepherd entasked Graves and Shadow Company to destroy the missiles and secure the chemical weapon from the Konni group. Unbeknownst to him and Graves, two Konni in disguises killed the Shadows and secured the chemical weapon. Hearing the Burner Phones, Shepherd and Graves learned it was Vladimir Makarov as well they decided to go after him.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III[]
Shepherd negotiates with the Task Force 141 regarding the capture of Vladimir Makarov in exchange for a way back and sends the location of Makarov's financier Milena Romanova. Shortly after, Shepherd was captured by Konni, but indirectly saved by Task Force 141 , who did not know that he was the target of the rescue. Afterwards, Shepard provided information about Makarov's plans and helped the group in exchange for rescue.
Some time later, Shepherd and Graves appeared in court at Congressional. Shepherd denied ordering the killing of Group 141, while Graves confirmed that Shepherd was the one who gave the orders.
By the end of the game, Shepherd was assassinated by Price for betrayal before moving out to hunt down Makarov.
Personality[]
A self-proclaimed patriot, Shepherd does not hesitate to do what he believes as "best for the cause", regardless of his actions' immorality; from hiring Shadow Company to smuggle American missiles to the Middle East, to letting the PMC run amok in Las Almas in the pretext of hunting down Hassan Zyani. Without doubt, these actions are not without consequences, as his foiled illegal arms deal set the events of Modern Warfare II in motion.
The most defining traits of Shepherd are his total lack of self-accountability and a narcissistic desire to go down in history as a hero. Out of fear that the U.S. Government would find out the reason why there are American missiles in the wild should the MARSOC brings the first one back, Shepherd ordered the men to dispose of it, despite Laswell's objections. Later on, when confronted by Price, Shepherd would still believe that he was right; he even went as far as chastising the captain for "having his head in the wrong direction". Finally, after Graves was seemingly killed by the Ghost Team, Shepherd went into hiding to avoid Task Force 141's retaliation and the US authorities.
Despite that, Shepherd is not completely spineless as a person. When Captain Price was about to assassinate him, he coldly and defiantly said that he would not beg anyone for his life.
Quotes[]
“
Right on time, Now get up there and let's see what he's up to in the middle o' nowhere.
„
~ Shepherd to Ghost about General Ghorbrani.
“
Send Traffic, 2. {...} Copy, get that cargo delivered on time. Do not fail, Eagle out.
„
~ Shepherd to Erikson.
“
This is Gold Eagle Actual. Do not lose that cargo!
„
~ Shepherd to the Shadows.
“
We can't do that, Graves! And you know it!
„
~ Shepherd to Graves.
“
There was no cargo, This mission does not and did not exist.
„
~ Shepherd to Graves about the Konni PMC Ambush.
“
Hassan Zyani. Quds Force Major.
„
~ Shepherd about Hassan.
“
We can't take him in Iran. (Laswell: He's not in Iran, He's on the ground in Al Mazrah.) What the hell is he doing in Al Mazrah?
„
~ Shepherd to Laswell about Hassan.
“
Marines are loading in now. You and the Sergant are leading the way on this.
„
~ Shepherd to Ghost.
“
Iran is in possession of American Missiles. (Laswell: American Missiles in AQ's hands.) Hassan has been passing out our ballistic missiles like it's fucking halloween and we didn't know about it?
„
~ Shepherd to Laswell about Hassan and the missiles.
“
This is an intelligence failure, Laswell. It's not gonna be a tactical one, There will be 500 enemy soldiers on that site by sunrise, We need a win fast.
„
~ Shepherd to Laswell.
“
Gold Eagle Actual to Ghost, Move your team and call for fire. I want those weapons destroyed.
„
~ Shepherd to Ghost to destroy the first missile.
“
What the hell's Amsterdam got to do with this?
„
~ Shepherd to Laswell about Amsterdam.
“
Well, that's the good news I've heard all day.
„
~ Shepherd to Laswell.
“
To find out, we need to capture Hassan and bring him in for interrogation. We'll send Soap and Ghost to link up with the Mexican Special Forces in country along the manpower they need. (Laswell: We can't start a war in Mexico, General.) Certainly not, I'll task Phillip Graves and his Shadow Company PMCs to assist. Their rules of engagement can help us cut some red tape and get this done.
„
~ Shepherd and Laswell in "Cartel Protection".
“
Shepherd: Loud and clear, Shadow-1, send traffic. Graves: I had to bail your boys out, luckily they have friends in high places. Shepherd: That's what you're there for, Tell me something good. Graves: We got a hit on Hassan. Approaching the target location now, We'll get this bastard rolled up for a little talkin' too. Shepherd: That's what I like to hear, Report back when Hassan's in the bag.
„
~ Shepherd and Graves about capturing Hassan.
“
Shepherd: Graves, Actual, Make my day. Graves: We got him, Escorting him back to base as we speak. Shepherd: Make it quick, We can't hold him for long.
„
~ Shepherd and Graves after capturing Hassan.
“
I don't care who they're from, I wanna know where they're going.
„
~ Shepherd about the stolen missiles.
“
I want this bastard in permanent custody or looking up at the goddamn grass. (Laswell: General, Killing Hassan is an act of war. Keeping him is illegal, right now he is too hold to hold.) Tell me you're getting something actionable, Laswell.
„
~ Shepherd to Laswell about Hassan.
“
Good, Now take him back and go.
„
~ Shepherd to the group when releasing Hassan.
“
I know you're upset, captain. This happened on your mission and that's a tough pill to swallow.
„
~ Shepherd to Price about rescuing Laswell.
“
War isn't about friends. It's about enemies. Good luck.
„
~ Shepherd to Price and Gaz.
“
You have your orders, son. Stop that launch.
„
~ Shepherd to Graves about stopping the second missile.
“
We're gonna take out the oil rig with the missile.
„
~ Shepherd to Graves, Soap and Ghost.
“
Copy that, Shadow-1, Good work, Get off that X and go home. Soap, Ghost, Thanks for a job well done.
„
~ Shepherd to Graves, Soap and Ghost after stopping the second missile.
“
We all keep secrets, Captain.
„
~ Shepherd to Price about Konni PMC Ambush Mission.
“
Consider yourself well informed now, John.
„
~ Shepherd to Price.
“
Then, point yourself in that direction and fix it.
„
~ Shepherd to Price about three missiles.
“
I don't need fixing, I'm a patriot protecting my country.
„
~ Shepherd to Price about his actions.
“
I do what needs to be done, and No one holds me down with a roll of red tape. I know what's best for the cause.
„
~ Shepherd to Price.
“
And you've forgotten what you're fighting for, John. To do good, you gotta do some bad. When we shit, we bury it, that's how it works.
„
~ Shepherd to Price.
“
You need to turn off that side o' your head and face down the real enemy.
„
~ Shepherd warning Price and about killing Hassan.
“
All Shadows, This is Gold Eagle Actual. Welcome to Operation Rogue Arsenal. Russian Paramilitary known as The Konni Group are manufacturing and stockpiling chemical weapons, posing a direct threat to global security. Your tasking is to destroy their facility and secure the chemical weapons cache. Your Commander on this op is Phillip Graves, Callsign Shadow 0-1. If you wanna get shit done, He's the man you want in charge. 0-1, you have the con.
„
~ Shepherd to The Shadows and Graves In "Shadow Siege".
“
Actual copies all, Report back when it's done.
„
~ Shepherd to Graves.
“
Sounds like Konni was expecting us, Keep it tight down there.
„
~ Shepherd to Graves after the Zaya Observatory destruction.
“
Copy, 0-1. Securing that gas is your primary objective, Extract birds are on station for support.
„
~ Shepherd to Graves.
“
I recognize that voice, I'll run signals intelligence to confirm.
„
~ Shepherd to Graves while Hearing Vladimir Makarov as the Konni Commander.
“
SIGNIT confirms, That is Vladimir Makarov.
„
~ Shepherd to Graves.
“
He should be rotting in a gulag, Maybe it's time we pay him a visit.
„
~ Shepherd to Graves about Makarov.
“
Gold Eagle to Bravo-6. Security confirms gunfire and at least one explosion in the stadium with multiple injuries, over. (Price: Copy, we're inbound now.) Be advised, Makarov and his men may still be inside. If he's there, you bring him out, alive.
„
~ Shepherd to Price.
“
Copy, All police on target are considered hostile.
„
~ Shepherd to Price.
“
If you wanna live, Do not threaten my men, Vladimir.
„
~ Shepherd warning Makarov.
“
What the hell do you care what time it is?
„
~ Shepherd to Makarov disapproving his question.
“
You gon' rot in hell for this.
„
~ Shepherd to Makarov.
“
John, It's a family affair. Even better. (Price: What do you want?) Vladimir Makarov, same as you.
„
~ Shepherd to Price.
“
Let's keep this professional, boys. Captain, let me paint you the bigger picture. You need Makarov in a pine box and I've got the nails. {...} A way back. I'm not goin' out like this. I want my name on a win. Check your inbox, Kate. I'll be on touch.
„
~ Shepherd to TF-141.
“
MacTavish. What the fuck...? Captain...
„
~ Shepherd when discovered and founded by Price, Soap and Gaz.
“
They're hunting us, John. They found me first.
„
~ Shepherd to Price and Soap.
“
Not a goddamn thing. (Price: Bollocks.) I'm a four star United States General.
„
~ Shepherd to Price and Soap.
“
Ah, you were chasing your own tail before I stepped in!
„
~ Shepherd to Price.
“
That's more like it. Now, How about a jacket and a gun? (Price and Soap: (In Unison) No.)
„
~ Shepherd to Price and Soap about him getting a jacket and a gun.
“
I'm freezing my ass off here.
„
~ Shepherd when in Siberia.
“
Does a Polar Bear shit in the snow?
„
~ Shepherd to Price, Soap and Gaz.
“
My intel's always good, Soap. You'll get it when I'm out of here.
„
~ Shepherd to Soap.
“
You're a long way from home, Kilo.
„
~ Shepherd to Farah.
“
The best of the best, all in one place.
„
~ Shepherd to TF-141 and Laswell.
“
No one else had the balls to do what I did for you, For all of you.
„
~ Shepherd to TF-141 and Laswell.
“
Keep the prisoner focused on their own self-preservation and eventually they will break.
„
~ Shepherd to TF-141 and Laswell.
“
You screw me on this, John - And you'll be sorry you kept me alive.
„
~ Shepherd firmly warning Price.
“
Makarov aims to finish what he started in Verdansk. He's ordered Konni to strike the Gora Dam at nightfall.
„
~ Shepherd to Laswell.
“
They won't, Shadow will provide air support.
„
~ Shepherd to TF-141.
“
You told me to put Graves on a leash, and that's what I'm gonna do. {...} You're damn right I do.
„
~ Shepherd to TF-141.
“
Go get 'em, Shadow.
„
~ Shepherd to Graves.
“
Shadow-1, Ground team is at rally point boneyard. You'll provide air cover while they locate the chemicals and hunt down Makarov.
„
~ Shepherd to Graves while the Ground Team hunt down Makarov.
“
Shadow, neutralize those RPGs. Do not let Konni destroy the hangars.
„
~ Shepherd to Graves.
“
Fucking Makarov, He'd destroy his whole base to keep those chemicals. They'll be in the next hangar, He might be too.
„
~ Shepherd about Makarov and his base.
“
All stations, be advised- Intel's picking up Konni Communications from off base. They're scrambling armored vehicles and reinforcements, Expect heavy contact.
„
~ Shepherd to All stations that Konni Reinforcements arrived.
“
This is Konni's foothold in Urzikstan, Wipe it off the map.
„
~ Shepherd to Graves.
“
Graves, once ground is clear, have your man drop a missile on that hangar. Bury Makarov and his fucking Chemicals.
„
~ Shepherd to Graves while preparing to destroy Konni Airbase HQ.
“
Roger that, Shadow. That's some big league work out there. Blue skies, son.
„
~ Shepherd to Graves.
“
Gold Eagle Actual to all stations, Your orders are to stand down. We got nothin' but fire and brimstone out there and that's all the confirmation we need. Six go to One... (Price: Go for Six.) It's over, John. We nailed that bastard to hell and gone. (Price: Yeah. That's what we said about your little Shadow, Graves, Yeah?) Makarov's dead, Captain. Don't let him inside your head, Eagle out.
„
~ Shepherd to Price, Gaz, Farah and Alex.
“
...We owe a debt of gratitude to our Task Force and to the ULF for our success against Vladimir Makarov and his private army. {...} No, Farah Karim is and always has been an ally to the United States and our Western Partners in the region. {...} For nearly a decade, I sent weapons to Commander Karim to support her missions against Al-Qatala and Russian Incursions into Urzikstan. {...} No- In order to save lives, I commissioned illegal shipments with funds I approved myself.{...} No, I did not.
„
~ Shepherd during the Congress hearing.
“
Shepherd: John. Price: General. Shepherd: How did you get in here? Price: Mutual friend. Shepherd: Hmm, Laswell. Price: Eh-eh. Shepherd: You're better than this, Captain. Price: Hmm, We both were. Shepherd: This job is about making sacrifices for the greater good. Price: Agreed. Shepherd: You got a body-count o' your own, John. It'll come back to haunt you.
„
~ Shepherd when confronted by Price for his actions before his death.
Gallery[]
Shepherd learning about Hassan Zyani from Kate Laswell.
Shepherd showing his true colors to Captain Price.
Shepherd confronted by Captain Price.
Shepherd's corpse.
Trivia[]
Shepherd looks very different from his original version. He looks much older and lacks a mustache. The original Shepherd is Lieutenant General, while the reboot Shepherd is General. Furthermore, the original Shepherd is a front-line General while the reboot one is the desk general.
In the original game, Shepherd kills Ghost and Roach. In the reboot, he does not kill anyone personally, but his negligence to confirm Makarov's death is what ultimately leads to Soap's murder.
During Price's confrontation with Shepherd, Shepherd's name in subtitles is yellow, but then turns red (meaning adversarial) when he threatens Price.
Shepherd's actor, Glenn Morshower, voiced Overlord in the original Modern Warfare 2 from 2009. Morshower also portrayed Agent Gordon in Battlefield 3.
Shepherd's first name, Herschel, is a reference to a comment from Robert Bowling claiming that Shepherd from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was named Hershel von Sheperd III.
Considering the fact that both characters are played by Glenn Morshower, Shepherd's portrayal in the reboot Modern Warfare series shares a number of traits with Wolfenstein'sRip Blazkowicz.
Both characters are authoritative figures to the heroes, who commit villiainous acts throughout the stories.
Both are narcissists devoid of self-accountability as well as bent on the belief that said detestable acts they commit are for the right cause and, therefore, justifiable.
Both characters did something that led to the deaths of the heroes' close ones: Rip sold B.J.'s mother Zofia out to the Nazis, while Shepherd's negligence during a mission indirectly caused "Soap" MacTavish to be later killed by Vladimir Makarov.
Both are ultimately killed by the heroes at their own places: Shepherd was shot dead by Captain John Price in his office, and Rip was hacked to death by his son B.J. in his old house in Mesquite.
Al-Qatala The Wolf |
Hadir Karim |
The Butcher |
Khaled Al-Asad |
The Chemist |
Christopher Yuter |
Jessica Ramirez |
Abu Sa'ir |
Rasheed |
El Traficante |
The Banker |
Mark Davies |
Derek Watson |
Ahmed |
Alamik |
Danny |
Pyro |
Scavenger |
Rhinoceros |
Sniper