Latest news with #JoshuaEyer
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Fallen Charlotte officers awarded Purple Heart; families promised lifelong support
This week, the four officers killed in a shootout while serving a warrant in east Charlotte posthumously received the Purple Heart for their sacrifice. The families of CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer, Deputy U.S. Marshal Tommy Weeks, Investigator Alden Elliott, and Investigator Sam Poloche received the awards on their behalf. Channel 9's Hannah Goetz sat down with the U.S. Marshals Service Acting Director Mark Pitella to discuss the support those families will receive for the rest of their lives. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Fallen Charlotte heroes honored during candlelight vigil in D.C. Pitella said the Purple Heart reminds us of not just how those men died but also how they lived. 'I think the best thing we can do is to carry on their legacies. How they live their lives, the four men, and to make sure that we continue to. To rid the world of violent crime and do our jobs to the best of our ability. But also to recognize that, you know, to be there for our loved ones as well,' Pitella elaborated. He went on to say the mission is to make sure the children of the fallen officers don't forget who their fathers were. 'We have to continue to share that message with the families. I mean, these are men of service. And they were people of service, people who wanted to give back to their communities. And we're going to relay that continually to the families, to let their loved ones and their younger children know that, you know, they died for a purpose, for a cause, and that we will continue to fight that cause and for that purpose,' Pitella explained. A fundraiser in Arlington for the U.S. Marshals Survivor Benefit Fund is being held Wednesday night. The goal is to make sure each family is financially taken care of for the weeks ahead. VIDEO: Fallen Charlotte heroes to be honored during candlelight vigil in D.C.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Fallen Charlotte heroes to be honored during candlelight vigil in D.C.
Thousands of people are paying their respects this week to officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. On Monday, the families of CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer, Deputy U.S. Marshal Tommy Weeks, Investigator Alden Elliott, and Investigator Sam Poloche got to see the names of their loved ones engraved in the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. ALSO READ: 'Still healing': Colleagues speak with Channel 9 to remember officers killed in ambush Tuesday night, the names of those four fallen heroes will be read aloud during a candlelight vigil. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, as well as the U.S. Marshals Office, will be in attendance. Last month, Channel 9's Hannah Goetz spoke with some of those officers as the one-year anniversary of the shooting approached. They said it brings them pride to be able to honor their friends. 'I think so, like, because each one of those guys, you're not going to find better people. So, it makes you proud to tell people about them, you know,' said Deputy US Marshal Stephen Baldwin. >>> Goetz will be live from the ceremony at 11 p.m., which is being held at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. VIDEO: 'Honor him': Names of 4 fallen Charlotte officers join memorial wall in D.C.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Memorial held at federal courthouse for fallen US Deputy Marshal Thomas Weeks
One year ago, four men got ready for work like many of us, but they didn't make it home. Those men were Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joshua Eyer, U.S. Deputy Marshal Thomas Weeks, and Task Force Officers Sam Poloche and Alden Elliot. Marking one year since the deadliest attack on police in Charlotte's history On Tuesday, a memorial for Weeks was unveiled during a private ceremony at the federal courthouse. And while it was a somber day, Goetz said there were a lot of smiles because that is what his family wanted. Weeks' wife, Kelly, said the ceremony was for their family, as well as law enforcement officers who are now a part of her extended family. Kelly said she chose to hold the ceremony at 2 p.m. because that is when she received the call about her husband one year ago. She said there was no other place she'd rather be or people she'd rather be with other than the ones who were in the room with her. During the ceremony, Kelly was given what she said might be her most cherished gift, her husband's badge that he was wearing during the incident. 'One question I had for many days was, 'Where is Tommy's badge?' I needed the one he'd slam on my desk, telling me he was going to quit,' Kelly explained. 'For the western to want to be able to hear in here the shouts, the clapping, and the celebration, because that's what this is, a celebration. I want Tommy to be able to hear it. I want that big smile that he had to go so far up his cheeks that it crosses his ears. He deserves it all. All the fallen deserve it,' said U.S. Marshal Terry J. Burgin. THE STORIES: 4 officers killed, 4 shot during east Charlotte standoff US Marshals set up sniper inside neighbor's home during SWAT situation 'I was trapped too': Neighbor captures video of shots fired during standoff in east Charlotte 'Astronomical': Investigators to watch many hours of footage from east Charlotte ambush 9 Investigates: East Charlotte Shooting Timeline CMPD: 'No friendly fire' or 'sympathetic gunfire' during deadly police shootout Week's office was inside the federal courthouse, which is why the ceremony centered around him. Another memorial for Task Force Officers Sam Poloche and Alden Elliot was held in Raleigh on Tuesday as well. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department honored Officer Joshua Eyer at a Tunnel to Towers fundraiser over the weekend. VIDEO: Wives of fallen officers find strength after east Charlotte ambush
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Annual Tunnel to Towers Climb honors four officers killed in Shannon Park shooting
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Tuesday will mark one year since four law enforcement officers lost their lives in the line of duty in Charlotte's Shannon Park neighborhood. On Sunday, hundreds of first responders, community members and the loved ones of those who died gathered to honor their memories through the Tunnel to Towers Climb. It's a foundation supporting families of fallen first responders. 'This past year has been one of the most difficult in the department's history,' said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings. 'Through the heartbreak, Charlotte has stood beside us.' Charlotte showed up once again. More than 1,800 people spent part of their weekend running up 1,454 stairs inside Bank of America Stadium. Climbing up and down, they worked their way around the lower level while thinking of the sacrifices made that brought them to this event. 'Their life was on the line, thinking about that every time I go up was definitely going through my mind,' said one runner. The Tunnel to Towers Climb happens yearly in the Queen City, but this year holds a special meaning. 'CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer, Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas 'Tommy' Weeks, North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections Investigators William 'Alden' Elliott and Samuel Poloche,' said Chief Jennings. Those are the names of the four men who were shot and killed while trying to serve arrest warrants in the Shannon Park neighborhood last year. Some of their wives were in attendance to share what they'd like their husbands' legacies to be. 'I ask you to spend more time remembering the lives of each of them more than you think about April 29,' said Ashley Eyer, wife of Officer Eyer. 'Remember them as fathers, husbands, sons, brothers and friends. Remember their laughs and their little quirks. Remember that you loved them long before you lost them.' Their grief and inspiring words fueled the runners to cross the finish line, receive their medals and hold onto hope. 'We have to have hope because, without it, you can't survive,' said Kelly Weeks, wife of Deputy U.S. Marshal Weeks. The wives left the crowd with a call to action. 'I've fought it nearly every day for a year, but I'm still here and so are you,' said Ashley. 'So let's make it count, okay?' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Yahoo
Fallen officers to be honored at Bank of America Stadium
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is preparing to hold its annual Charlotte Climb. On Sunday, April 27, thousands of participants will climb the stairs at Bank of America Stadium to honor four officers killed after an ambush at an east Charlotte home last year. Those officers were Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer Joshua Eyer, Sam Poloche, and Alden Elliott with the state Department of Adult Correction and U.S. Marshal deputy Thomas Weeks Jr. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 4 Charlotte officers killed in line of duty to be remembered at BOA Stadium The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department spoke about the fallen officers during a briefing Monday morning: 'These officers we will honor were more than just their uniforms. They were sons, fathers, husbands, and our friends. They dedicated their lives to protect this community and that will never be forgotten. Tunnel to Towers' Charlotte Climb is a symbol of the resilience, sacrifice, and unity.' This is the first time participants will climb at Bank of America Stadium. Previously, the event was held at the Duke Energy building and the Museum Tower. (VIDEO: 13-year-old, 14-year-old arrested after armed carjacking, pursuit, CMPD says)
