Funeral held for fallen Charlotte officer on Friday

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WGHP) — One of four fallen officers will be honored with a procession and funeral on Friday.

Officer Joshua Eyer was laid to rest at 10 a.m. in Charlotte after he was shot and killed on Monday, responding to a warrant service at an east Charlotte home along with the US Marshal’s Service.

A total of eight officers were shot. Eyer and three others, Alden Elliott, Samuel Poloche and Thomas Weeks Jr., were killed in the shootout. The suspect, Terry Hughes Jr., also died.

“I mean, you think about it from your family’s perspective. They just lost a member of their family and they come out to see this overwhelming support from agencies that may not have even known their loved one,” Winston-Salem Police Department Corporal James Carter said outside of the funeral as the procession took place.

“That was the type of officer Josh was. Full-speed ahead, no matter the cost. This couldn’t have been more evident by his actions shown on Monday. We weren’t even scheduled to work, but Josh had a family commitment this week so we both decided to go in to get a couple hours so he could be there,” Detective Thomas Mattox of CMPD said.

President Biden spoke with the families on Thursday.

“He shared thoughts on the heroic actions our officers took on Monday and every day. Their service and sacrifice can never be repaid,” CMPD said on Thursday. “Thank you to President Biden for stopping by and sharing a moment with our local heroes. We continue to be overwhelmed by the support from our community and from across the country.”

Eyer served with the North Carolina National Guard from Nov. 28, 2011, to Nov. 27, 2023.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with our public safety partners during this tragic time, as well as the family and friends of those who lost a loved one,” the NC National Guard said this week.

The church was standing room only during the memorial service.

“He was … so good to me,” said Ashley Eyer, Eyer’s wife. “I never have and I never will question how much he loved me, and I will carry his love with me for the rest of my life … Being a father was undoubtedly his most cherished role. While all of this has been amazing and an honor to our family, Josh would have been so uncomfortable by all this attention … So if you really want to honor him, please help me by maintaining his legacy.”

Eyer wasn’t scheduled to work on Monday when the shooting happened. He didn’t hesitate when he learned his brothers in blue needed help.

“Despite the never-ending positives I have to say about Josh’s work ethic, what I’m most proud of is the father and husband I knew him to be,” said Officer Nicholas Ferreira, who worked with Eyer. “I know Andrew is too young to understand but best believe we will let him know the true hero his father was.”

“As big as Josh is, he had the ability to make the world feel small,” said Charlie Sardelli, Eyer’s friend of 15 years. “When he spoke to you, all he would do is listen … If you needed the shirt off his back, it would be off his body before even asking the question.”

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