‘This country lost four heroes’: NC Governor honors officers lost in Charlotte shooting

Governor Roy Cooper addresses the media at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department following the April 29 shooting. (Screengrab from CMPD video stream)

Governor Roy Cooper said North Carolina will never be able to fill the void or fully thank the families of the four law-enforcement officers who lost their lives in Charlotte Monday while attempting to serve a warrant.

Authorities identified the slain officers on Tuesday as:

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Joshua Eyer

• Samuel “Sam” Poloche with the NC Department of Adult Correction

• Alden Elliot, also with the NC Department of Adult Correction and

• Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas M. Weeks, Jr.

Of the four additional Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers wounded on Monday, three have been released from the hospital. CMPD Officer Christopher Tolley remained in stable condition Tuesday after undergoing surgery to treat his gunshot wound injuries.

Gov. Cooper told those attending Tuesday’s press conference that he spent time in the hospital Monday with officers and was moved by the stories of the officers who lost their lives.

“They were good ones…people that you could trust, people who you could count on, and people who would risk their lives,” said Cooper.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles offered praise to the health care providers who treated the officers.

The governor said this tragedy leaves behind an emptiness that will continue to run deep. He asked for North Carolinians to pray for the families and their law enforcement colleagues.

Attorney General Josh Stein joined Cooper and said words are insufficient as we mourn for the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“We ask our peace officers to do something that is awe inspiring, to run into the face of danger that every human urge is telling them to flee, but they do it to keep us safe,” said Stein. “They engage the public. They patrol, they investigate, and they make arrests, so that our kids can learn safely at school, play safely in the neighborhood, and sleep safely in their homes.”

Stein said the city of Charlotte is strong, and days and weeks ahead will be the time to surround the families and friends of the officers with “the love that they need and deserve.”

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said in this moment of tragedy, she wanted to take a moment and recognize the actions of the Queen City’s health care providers.

“You did all that was possible and we’re grateful for that, that you’re able to keep watch over those that are still in your care, and for those that had to take that journey home,” said Lyles. “If you had to stand in Atrium and Novant and see the kinds of things that these doctors were reaching out to do, you would be grateful as a community. I am grateful as your Mayor.”

Authorities say 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes, Jr. had a lengthy criminal record including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was killed during Monday’s exchange of gunfire. An AR-15 and a .40 caliber handgun were among the items recovered from the scene.

Flags in North Carolina will fly at half-staff through Friday to honor the fallen officers.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation is accepting contributions to be directed to the officers’ families. A GoFundMe campaign organized by Back The Blue NC to assist the families of the slain officers had raised more than $82,000 as of Tuesday evening.

Flags at the North Carolina General Assembly were flying at half-staff on Tuesday. (Photo: Clayton Henkel)

The post ‘This country lost four heroes’: NC Governor honors officers lost in Charlotte shooting appeared first on NC Newsline.