Four law enforcement officers were killed in a shootout in Charlotte, North Carolina, and three of them have been identified. Officer Joshua Eyer of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Sam Poloche, and Alden Elliot of the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force were killed in the tragic shooting. Another victim, a U.S. Marshals Service deputy, has not been identified yet. Officer Eyer served the department’s North Tryon Division for six years and was a member of the 178th Recruit Class. Poloche and Elliot also had years of service in law enforcement. A total of eight officers were shot, with three CMPD officers and a U.S. Marshals Task Force officer injured but recovering.
Poloche had joined the NCDAC Special Operations and Intelligence Unit in 2013, while Elliot had joined in 2016. Both officers had served as probation/parole officers and were passionate about protecting their communities. Poloche is survived by a wife and two children, while Elliot leaves behind a wife and one child. The shooting started when a U.S. Marshals Task Force was trying to serve a warrant for firearm possession by a convicted felon. The suspect, Terry Clark Hughes, Jr., opened fire and was subsequently killed in the shootout. Hughes was also wanted for felony flee to elude charges out of Lincoln County, North Carolina. Police believe that there may have been two shooters involved in the incident, and two persons of interest were taken into custody for further investigation.
Authorities praised the bravery and sacrifice of the fallen officers, highlighting their service and dedication to their roles. A procession carried Officer Eyer’s body from the hospital to the medical examiner’s office as a tribute to his service. The NCDAC expressed deep condolences to the families and friends of the officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The department also extended prayers for healing to all those affected by the tragic incident. Three CMPD officers and a U.S. Marshals Task Force officer were injured in the shootout and are currently recovering from their wounds. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks that law enforcement officers face every day in the line of duty.
The tragic shooting in Charlotte, North Carolina, resulted in the deaths of four law enforcement officers, including Officer Joshua Eyer, Sam Poloche, and Alden Elliot. The officers were part of the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force and had years of experience serving their communities. The suspect, Terry Clark Hughes, Jr., opened fire when the task force tried to serve a warrant for firearm possession, leading to a shootout that resulted in his death. Police believe that there may have been two shooters involved in the incident, and two persons of interest were taken into custody for further investigation.
The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction expressed deep condolences for the fallen officers, praising their heroism and ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Officer Eyer, Poloche, and Elliot all had dedicated their lives to protecting their communities and had a passion for their roles in law enforcement. The department extended prayers for healing to all those affected by the tragic incident, emphasizing the impact of the loss on the families and friends of the fallen officers. The surviving injured officers are currently recovering from their wounds, highlighting the dangers that law enforcement officers face every day while serving their communities.
The tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks that law enforcement officers face in the line of duty. Officer Eyer’s procession from the hospital to the medical examiner’s office was a poignant moment to honor his service and sacrifice. The NCDAC and CMPD expressed gratitude for the bravery and dedication of the fallen officers, emphasizing that their service and sacrifices will never be forgotten. The community mourns the loss of these officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to the state, leaving behind families and loved ones who will forever remember their dedication and heroism.
