One CMPD and three U.S. Marshals task force officers were killed while serving a warrant.
By Luke Tucker
Published: Apr. 30, 2024 at 5:42 AM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Within hours of making the greatest sacrifice, the Charlotte community is already beginning to honor four law-enforcement officers who tragically lost their lives while attempting to serve a warrant on Monday afternoon.
Three of the officers were members of a U.S. Marshals task force. The fourth belonged to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
CMPD identified its fallen officer as Joshua Eyer, a six-year veteran of the force. He had been assigned to the North Tryon Division.
Eyer was shot and critically injured at the scene on Galway Drive in east Charlotte and was one of five officers rushed to local hospitals. He passed away Monday night.
“We are forever indebted to Officer Eyer for his bravery and ultimate sacrifice,” CMPD said in a social media post. “His life and service will never be forgotten. Please say a prayer for Officer Eyer’s loved ones during this difficult time.”
Eyer leaves behind a wife and 3-year-old son.
Tonight, a procession carried CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer’s body from the hospital to the Medical Examiner’s Office. Thank you for the enormous outpouring of support from law enforcement across the state as well as @CharlotteFD for closing roads tonight. Our prayers are with Officer… pic.twitter.com/QzFItTHhcF
— CMPD News (@CMPD) April 30, 2024
The department posted a video of a procession just before midnight, taking Eyer’s body from the hospital to the medical examiner’s office. As the procession left, hospital staff and fellow officers stood shoulder-to-shoulder as they showed respect.
Shortly after CMPD identified Eyer as one of the four tragically killed, the NC Department of Adult Corrections (NC DAC) said Samuel “Sam” Poloche and William “Alden” Elliott also lost their lives.
Officials said both Poloche and Elliott were task force officers assigned to the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force. Both men were 14-year veterans of the NC DAC.
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“They loved their work, and were passionate about their roles in protecting our communities,” NC DAC said 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.”
Poloche leaves behind a wife and two children, while Elliott leaves behind his wife and one child.
Officials identified the fourth officer as 48-year-old Thomas M. Weeks Jr. Weeks was a Deputy Marshal after spending 13 years with the service, nearly 10 of which came in Charlotte. He was married with four children.
Like Poloche and Elliott, Weeks was also a member of the task force.
In honor of the fallen officers, Charlotte’s skyline is lit in blue and flags outside the Mecklenburg County Courthouse are being flown at half-staff.
Leaders from around the area, state and country have expressed their condolences in the wake of the tragedy.
“They are heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, rushing into harm’s way to protect us,” President Joe Biden said in a statement. “We mourn for them and their loved ones. And we pray for the recoveries of the courageous officers who were wounded.”
Apart from the four killed, four other officers were wounded in Monday’s shooting. Three of those are CMPD officers and the fourth is a member of the task force. During a briefing on Monday afternoon, CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said three of his officers were in stable condition and are expected to recover. At the time, he said Eyer was in critical condition.
The man the officers sought to arrest on Monday was shot dead at the scene. Two females were taken into custody.
Related: ‘We lost heroes.’ 3 US Marshal task force officers killed, 1 CMPD officer dead, 3 others hurt in E CLT shootout
For those looking for information on how to donate to the families of the four fallen officers or to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation you can click here.
Contributions will be directed either to the family or as specified. Please indicate in the PayPal comment section how you would like your donations to be allocated.
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joshua Eyer
- Department of Adult Corrections Officer Sam Poloche
- Department of Adult Corrections Officer William Elliott
- Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks
- To the law enforcement agencies for Wellness Resources
For those wishing to send personal gifts, cards, or item donations, they can be delivered or mailed to 601 E. Trade Street, Charlotte, NC, with attention to CMPD Human Resources. Rest assured, all items received will be promptly delivered to the families in need. For any inquiries, please reach out to CMPD HRD at 704.336.5320
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