Shelby was a Starfleet officer with the rank of captain. In 2374, Shelby was the commanding officer of the Federation starship USS Sutherland. Lieutenant Commander Jadzia Dax was a friend of Shelby's. During a resupply visit to Deep Space 9 that same year, Captain Shelby returned a favor to Dax by granting Lieutenant Manuele Atoa some free time so he could perform his Samoan firedance at Dax' wedding party. (DS9: "You Are Cordially Invited")