CHARLOTTE, N.C. (TND) — Tributes are pouring in for the officers who were shot and killed in North Carolina while they were trying to serve a warrant.
One is particularly moving, as it was written by the young son of Officer William "Alden" Elliott, who was a 14-year veteran of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.
Elliot was assigned to the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force and previously served the nation as a U.S. Marine.
His achievements are included in his obituary, which features a heartbreaking poem by his 12-year-old son, Theo.
My daddy is a hero.
He died getting the bad guys, that’s what he was good at.
He is a Marine.
He is a Police Officer.
He is kind and patient.
He keeps my mom and I safe.
He is my daddy; the best daddy.
We love playing video games together. He really likes Mario, Zelda, and Metroid Return of Samus.
We collect Pokemon cards. I have a Charizard that he helped me get graded.
He and I have watched every Star Wars movie and series.
My daddy loves playing and watching baseball. His favorite team is the Dodgers.
He is an expert marksman, perfect score every time.
For my 12th birthday he bought me a dirt bike. He bought himself one too, so that we could ride together.
I will learn how to ride it and we will ride together one day, Daddy.
He was the best man I will ever know.
And I hope to be just like him.
A memorial service with military honors to celebrate Elliott will be held May 9 at 6 p.m. at the Tarlton Complex on the campus of Catawba Valley Community College, according to the obit.
Elliott, along with Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks Jr., N.C. Department of Corrections Task Force Officer Sam Poloche, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joshua Eyer, were gunned down Monday afternoon during the attempted arrest.
Officer Joshua Eyer
A memorial service has been also been scheduled for Eyer. Police said the service is set for Friday at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church, with a police procession to escort Eyer from the church to Sharon Memorial Park.
Law enforcement officers from around the country will join us in honoring Officer Joshua Eyer," the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police noted on X.Immediately following the service, a vehicle procession will escort Officer Eyer to Sharon Memorial Park at 5716 Monroe Road in Charlotte for a graveside service," according to the post.Eyer died at the hospital after he was shot. He leaves behind his wife, Ashley, and a 3-year-old son.
Police said he served with the department's North Tryon Division for six years and was a member of the 178th Recruit Class. He had just been named one of the department's employees of the month for April.
We are forever indebted to Officer Eyer for his bravery and ultimate sacrifice. His life and service will never be forgotten," police noted in a post. "Please say a prayer for Officer Eyer’s loved ones during this difficult time."In addition to his job with the department, Eyer served in the North Carolina Army National Guard from 2011 to 2023, when he was honorably discharged. He obtained the rank of sergeant first class and was deployed overseas twice, according to the Guard. He was a military police soldier for most of his career, apart from a period in 2019 when he served as a combat engineer, according to the Guard.
The department said tributes for Eyer, as well as condolences for his loved ones and fellow officers, have been pouring in. Police said they are "so grateful" for the "overwhelming outpouring of support" from the Charlotte community, as well as people throughout the nation.
"A solemn tribute grows around Officer Eyer's patrol car parked outside of the North Tryon Division as a visible reminder of Officer Eyer's sacrifice and service," police noted on social media. "Please continue to keep our Officer's Eyer's family and our recovering officers in your thoughts and prayers."
The department also said players and staff of the Knights Baseball team wore CMPD hats during pregame activities and warmups the day after the fatal shooting. The team detailed the field with "CMPD" and "USMS" as a salute to all four officers.
"We appreciate the support while honoring of our fallen heroes and are grateful for our community partners at the Knights," according to the department.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas M. Weeks Jr.
Weeks Jr., 48, died in the hospital shortly after the shooting. He was a 13-year veteran of the USMS, serving in the Western District of North Carolina for the last 10 years.
The USMS said Weeks started his USMS career in 2011 in the District of Columbia's Superior Court before transferring to Charlotte in 2014. He previously spent eight years with Customs and Border Protection.
On Tuesday, employees of the United States District Court gathered to remember him.
I'll bet there were over 100 people talking about Tommy," District Judge Bob Conrad said. “The thing that comes to mind with him is not only his competence at what he did, but his demeanor. Everybody remembers him and his smile.”He enjoyed his job, and he was good at it,” Conrad added.Inside the courtroom, Weeks was responsible for security, and would often bring in defendants for a sentencing hearing.
“He would sit behind in a way that didn’t draw attention to himself, but you knew that he was ready should anything go wrong,” Conrad said.
Weeks also worked on the fugitive task force and was helping apprehend a suspect when he was killed on Monday. Conrad said Weeks knew the dangers of his job.
“In many ways, he was a tough guy," he said. “And he, like the other deputies he worked with, knew that there was no guarantee anytime they went out that they were going to come back.”
He leaves behind a wife and four children.
Officer Sam Poloche
The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction said Sam Poloche was a 14-year veteran of the department and had been assigned to the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force. He was a graduate of UNC Pembroke in 2009.
Emely Poloche, who is married to Sam Poloche's cousin, called the fallen officer “a loving person, a great dad and a wonderful husband.”
She said he was a Christian man who always tried to do his best.
“He was a very special person, dedicated to his family and his job," she said.
Poloche leaves behind a wife and two children.
They loved their work, and were passionate about their roles in protecting our communities,” Department Secretary Todd Ishee said of Poloche and Elliot in a news release. “These officers died as heroes and made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our state. We remember them, we honor their service, we send our deepest condolences to their families and friends, and we pray for healing for all affected by this tragic incident.”Four other officers were hurt in the shooting, according to police. They include the following men:
- CMPD Officer Christopher Tolley underwent surgery to treat gunshot wounds and remains in the hospital in stable condition.
- CMPD Officer Michael Giglio was treated for gunshot wound injuries and released from the hospital Monday.
- CMPD Officer Jack Blowers was also treated for his gunshot wound injuries and released from the hospital Monday.
- CMPD Officer Justin Campbell suffered a broken foot and was treated and released from the hospital Tuesday morning.
Police also said a preliminary investigation noted a total of 12 CMPD officers fired their guns.
All 12 of those officers are on paid, administrative leave," according to the release. "As is standard procedure with any officer involved shooting, the CMPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau will conduct a separate but parallel investigation."President Joe Biden met with the families of the fallen officers and three of the injured officers, with police thanking him for joining them as they grieve.
"He shared thoughts on the heroic actions our officers took on Monday and every day," police said. "Their service and sacrifice can never be repaid. Thank you to President Biden for stopping by and sharing a moment with our local heroes. We continue to be overwhelmed by the support from our community and from across the country."
The suspect, who was shot and killed at the scene, was identified as Terry Clark Hughes Jr., 39. He was wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon and two counts of a felony flee to elude out of Lincoln County, North Carolina.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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