WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Thom Tillis spoke on the Senate floor in honor of the four Charlotte law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty on Monday.

Watch Senator Tillis’ remarks HERE and download HERE.

Transcript: 

“I rise today to honor the lives of four brave law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty on Monday this week in North Carolina, actually in a community that’s only about 20-30 minutes from my home. The community of Charlotte and the entire state of North Carolina is shocked and devastated by the deadly assault on law enforcement. They were just showing up to do their job. It was the deadliest attack on law enforcement our nation has seen in nearly a decade. And it’s profoundly tragic that it happened in a city and a state that I love.

“Young families are grieving; their lives are forever changed, and their fellow law enforcement officers are grieving. Charlotte Mecklenburg Police lost a beloved officer, the US Marshal Service lost a dedicated colleague, and the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections lost two of their longtime colleagues. This tragedy was the result of one of the most important yet very dangerous responsibilities of our law enforcement officers: executing an arrest warrant. On early Monday afternoon, a task force of federal, state, and local law enforcement led by the US Marshal Service attempted to serve an arrest warrant for a fugitive at a residence in Charlotte. 

“The fugitive had a long criminal record and was wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon, and two counts of felony fleeing to elude law enforcement. Instead of surrendering to law enforcement, the fugitive opened fire, and he shot eight law enforcement officers at the scene. Four officers were tragically killed, and four more were injured and had to be transported to the hospital, one in critical condition.  

“Police Officer Joshua Eyer served six years with CMPD. Before that, he served more than a decade in the Army National Guard. As the CMPD officer, he was already making his mark. The chief down in Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, Johnny Jennings, remembered ‘it was just recently that he was in the very room he did the press conference to announce the tragic events of Monday, he was congratulating Officer Eyer for becoming officer of the month in April. He certainly dedicated his life, and he gave his life on Monday, serving the people of Charlotte.’ Eyer is survived by his wife and three-year-old son. 

“Another officer two actually, Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott were 14-year veterans of the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections. Poloche joined the department’s Special Operations and Intelligence Unit in 2013. He was a husband and father to two boys. One that’s about to graduate high school and another one about to graduate from college. Officer Poloche’s father said ‘his main purpose was his life and family.’ He was a man who showed extraordinary kindness even to perfect strangers.  

“Alden Elliott joined the Special Operations Intelligence unit in 2016. His colleagues remember him as a serious and dedicated law enforcement officer who had a great sense of humor. One of his friends in Charlotte honored his sacrifice by writing, ‘My best friend was killed in the line of duty while serving a warrant to a felon with multiple convictions. He was a marine, a father, and a hero to me. He was protecting Charlotte.’ Elliott is survived by his wife and child. 

“US Marshals Service deputy Thomas Weeks Jr., age 48, was a husband and father of four children. He was a 13-year veteran of the Marshal Service and an eight-year veteran of Customs and Border Protection. Deputy Weeks led the team that executed the warrant of the suspect. A district judge whom Weeks protected said ‘the thing that comes to mind with him as not only his competence at what he did but his demeanor. Everybody remembers Weeks and his smile. He enjoyed his job, and he was good at it.’ Mr. President, these four officers were all heroes who protected and served the public. They were loving family men who tragically left behind wives and children. 

“Susan and I are praying for these four families, and I cannot imagine what they’re going through. I want them to know that all of Charlotte, the whole of North Carolina, and our nation is proud of them for their service, and we regret their loss, and we will be forever grateful for their courage, their service, and their ultimate sacrifice. May God bless the families, friends, and colleagues of these fallen officers and give them the strength they need during this difficult time. And Mr. President, may God bless and protect the brave men and women who serve in law enforcement. Thank you.” 

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