On Friday morning, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department honored the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Loved ones of the fallen and their fellow officers gathered for the annual Mecklenburg County Peace Officers Memorial.
It is an event that CMPD hosts every year; This year, however, felt a little different as they once again honored one of their own who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joshua Eyer had his name unveiled on the Fallen Officer Memorial Statue on East Trade Street.
He was killed, along with three other members of law enforcement, in an ambush in east Charlotte nearly three weeks ago.
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Eyer was the first CMPD officer killed in the line of duty since Officer Mia Goodwin was killed in a crash on Interstate 85 in December 2021.
Her name and badge have been added to the monument in Uptown. She was a mother and wife of a Charlotte firefighter.
The event began with a wreath laying ceremony before guests delivered remarks.
One of those guys was San Francisco 49ers head coach Steve Wilks, who also spent the 2022 season with the Carolina Panthers.
“The responsibility you show every day by going out, representing and protecting this community. The dedication you show as you seek to honor, uphold, and do your work. The trust you build in the community every day. You are the real, active champions,” said Wilks.
CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings also spoke, following the request of the families of the fallen, which encouraged the community to spend time remembering how heroic these four men were.
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