I added a link to the above menu bar called CMPD Fallen Heroes to give honor to the officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. Little did I know when I started gathering data for this memorial page, I would learn a little bit about Charlotte police history, but that's exactly what happened. Before the CMPD (as I know it -- the boys and girls who I cook for), there was the Charlotte Police Department (city police) and the Mecklenburg County Police Department (county police), and in 1993 these two entities became what we now know as Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD). I gathered data from both the Officer Down Memorial website and the CMPD memorial page to create this memorial page.
This page is dedicated to the officers from all three agencies who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Some officers never had the chance to marry and be the husband and father they always wanted to be. One officer and his wife were expecting their second child. Thank you for your bravery and for your service to the Charlotte community. You are all heroes.
Total Line of Duty Deaths: 30 / Aircraft accident: 1 / Automobile accident: 3 / Explosion; 1 / Gunfire: 21 / Heart attach: 1 / Struck by vehicle: 1 / Vehicular assault: 2.
Officer James "Jimmy" Moran On Saturday, April 2, 1892, Officer Moran and his partner were on patrol when they saw two men walking on N. Tryon Street carrying bags of flour. When the officers approached the men, one of them began to run away. Officer Moran's partner chased the fleeing suspect, while Officer Moran stayed with the other man. As Officer Moran talked to the second suspect the man pulled out a gun and shot him. Officer Moran was taken to his home where he succumbed to his injuries two days later. Officer Moran was the first Charlotte Police officer to die in the line of duty. Officer Moran had been with the agency for three years. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/9590-patrol-officer-james-moran#ixzz20cvtDHzr
End of Watch - August 2, 1904
Officer James H. Brown
Officer Brown died as a result of a ruptured spleen and heart attack shortly after struggling with a suspect near the corner of East Trade and North College Streets. Officer Brown had testified against the suspect earlier in the day and the man was overheard by another officer that he was going to cause Officer Brown to lose his job. Officer Brown returned to his post following the court proceeding and was confronted by the man a short time later. He told the man to continue on his way or he would be arrested. Words were exchanged and a struggle ensued after a brief foot chase. Officer Brown was able to take the suspect into custody and he was removed to the police station. The officer felt ill and was attended to by the city physician, who sent him home. He suffered a heart attack a short time after arriving at home. The coroner ruled Officer Brown's death accidental as a result of the heart attack and ruptured spleen. All charges against the suspect were dropped. Officer Brown had served with the Charlotte Police Department for 6 months. He was buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was 29-years-old. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/17346-officer-james-h-brown#ixzz20db5xAnf
End of Watch - January 1, 1905
Officer Cole was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance in which a man had threatened another man with a handgun. The victim left the scene in search of a police officer and located Officer Cole. Officer Cole and his son-in-law followed the man back to the location, near present day East Sugar Creek Road, where they confronted the suspect on a set of railroad tracks. Officer Cole drew his service revolver and ordered the man to raise his hands. The suspect raised his left hand and then reached into his right pocket and produced a revolver. He immediately opened fire, wounding Officer Cole's son-in-law in the chest and striking Officer Cole in the abdomen and neck, mortally wounding him. The suspect fled the scene but was arrested several days later in Fort Mill, South Carolina. He was returned to Charlotte where he was charged with murder. The jury found him guilty of the less serious charge of manslaughter and sentenced him to 2 years on the county chain gang. Officer Cole had served with the Mecklenburg County Police Department for 4 years. He was survived by his wife. He was buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Charlotte, North Carolina. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/17345-rural-police-officer-sampson-e-cole#ixzz20deTj8ym
End of Watch - March 29, 1913
On March 29, 1913, Officer Estridge was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man creating a disturbance at the Dixie Theater. Officer Estridge and his partner were assigned to the theater and warned the man to stop or he would be kicked out. The man began struggling with the officers, gained control of the partner's gun, and shot Officer Estridge. The suspect fled the scene and was never apprehended. He was survived by his wife and seven children. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/17164-officer-john-robert-estridge#ixzz20dZZuSBr
End of Watch - February 16, 1924
On Saturday, February 16, 1924, Officer Fesperman and other officers were en route to a liquor raid on a home at the Wakefield Farm off of Providence Road. When the officers arrived at the house they located almost 100 people. As they began to search the people in the crowd, officers found liquor on one of the men, who was then placed into Officer Fesperman's custody. Moments later, the man shot Officer Fesperman in the head and fled the scene. Officer Fesperman was taken to Presbyterian Hospital where he died. The suspect was arrested a short time later by the Charlotte police chief. He was convicted of Officer Fesperman's murder and sentenced to death. Officer Fesperman had been appointed to the police force on the day he was killed. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/16371-rural-police-officer-john-franklin-fesperman#ixzz20d3vS62j
End of Watch - September 29, 1926
Chief of Detective Joseph Orr and Detective John Byers died as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in China Grove, North Carolina.
The detectives, along with seven other Charlotte police officers, were participating in a state-wide police training exercise. They were driving from Charlotte to High Point responding to a mock riot when the accident occurred. Chief Orr succumbed to his injuries the day after the crash. Detective Byers passed away two days after the crash. Chief Orr had served with the Charlotte Police Department for 15 years. He had also served as chief of police in Lancaster, South Carolina, for three years and chief of police in Gastonia, North Carolina, for four years. He was survived by his wife and six children. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/20343-chief-of-detectives-joseph-eckels-orr#ixzz20dYUIpDu
End of Watch - September 30, 1926
On September 28, 1926, Detective John Byers and Chief of Detective Joseph Orr died as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in China Grove, North Carolina. The detectives, along with seven other Charlotte police officers, were participating in a state-wide police training exercise. They were driving from Charlotte to High Point responding to a mock riot when the accident occurred. Chief Orr succumbed to his injuries the day after the crash. Detective Byers passed away two days after the crash. Detective Byers had served with the agency for 2-1/2 years. He was survived by his wife and five children. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/20344-detective-john-north-byers#ixzz20dVYWd00
End of Watch - January 1, 1927
On December 31, 1926, Officer Reid was struck down by a car at the intersection of College and Trade Streets, as he was directing traffic to prevent congestion at the Square. Officer Reid, 49, died January 1, 1927 as a result of his injuries. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/11137-patrol-officer-robert-m-reid#ixzz20cOjaMXM
End of Watch - January 22, 1929
On January 22, 1929, Detective Ed Correll and his partner were searching a house for stolen goods. During the search the suspect pulled out a gun and fired at the detectives. Detective Correll, 40,was fatally shot and his partner was wounded. Although the suspect fled the scene, he was apprehended a short time later. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 to 30 years. Detective Correll had been with the agency for just under five years. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/3477-detective-harvey-edgar-correll#ixzz20cLog8go
End of Watch - August 30, 1929
On August 30, 1929 at approximately 0300 hours, Officer Rogers was on foot patrol with fellow officers in the Paw Creek area, looking into a series of robberies that had occurred in that community. As the officers approached a suspicious, parked vehicle and identified themselves, the driver opened fire. Officer Rogers and the suspect were killed in return gunfire. Officer Rogers had been with the agency for six years. He was 33-years-old. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/11458-officer-william-rogers#ixzz20dKP6LIC
End of Watch - October 21, 1929
On October 21, 1929 Detective Jenkins and his partner were at First and South Davidson Streets attempting to quell a riot. The detectives were trying to make an arrest when a suspect grabbed a "riot" shotgun from Jenkins' partner. During the struggle that ensued, Detective Jenkins, 48, was shot and later died from his injuries. Detective Jenkins had been with the agency for five years and had been in law enforcement for 20 years. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/7096-detective-thomas-h-jenkins#ixzz20cQJegIN
End of Watch - June 9, 1930
On June 9, 1930, Officer Frye was on duty in the early morning hours when he noticed an open on College Street and he went inside to investigate. As Officer Frye shined his flashlight inside the establishment, the suspect opened fire and struck Frye five times. Officer Frye was later transported to Mercy Hospital where he died from his injuries. Officer Frye was 44-years- old. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/5158-patrol-officer-benjamin-h-frye#ixzz20dECOyTe
End of Watch - March 29, 1936
In the early morning on March 29, 1936, Officer Nichols was on patrol in the business district. At the intersection of Third and South Tryon Street, Officer Nichols was struck by a hit-and-run driver. Officer Nichols, 60, remained unconscious until his death on April 17. Officer Nichols had been with the agency for 10 years. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/9937-officer-charles-p-nichols#ixzz20d7FnXhj
End of Watch - February 12, 1937
On February 12, 1937, Officer Biggers, a motorcycle officer, escorted a school bus to Matthews School. As he was returning to his regular patrol area, he was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver. The driver of the vehicle was never identified. Officer Biggers was 47-years-old. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/1844-officer-rufus-l-biggers#ixzz20crlONqG
End of Watch - April 12, 1941
Detective Charlie Baker, 36, was transporting two prisoners back to Charlotte, when he was involved in a fatal car crash on April 7,1941. He was hospitalized in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. and died from his injuries five days later on April 12. Detective Baker had been with the agency for 11 years. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/1418-detective-charlie-herbert-baker#ixzz20cGWYG6a
On May 21, 1960, Officer Annas and his partner were trying to break up a street fight between two men at the corner of South Church Street and West Summit Avenue. A large crowd had gathered to watch the fight. While Officer Annas went back to the patrol car to radio for assistance, the other officer was assaulted by members of the crowd. As Officer Annas rushed to assist his partner, a member of the crowd grabbed the officer's service weapon and shot the 25-year-old Annas, fatally wounding him. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison December 20, 1962. He was released October 16, 1986. Officer Annas had served with the Charlotte Police Department for two years. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/1250-police-officer-johnny-reed-annas#ixzz20cGusGEI
End of Watch-~ May 4, 1970
Sgt. Lewis Edward Robinson, Sr.
Sgt. Lewis Edward Robinson, Sr.
On May 4, 1970, in a trailer park near McIlwaine Rd., Sergeant Robinson and fellow officers were attempting to apprehend a man suspected of firing shots at a utility worker. As the officers searched the area, the suspect was hiding and opened fire on them with a high-powered rifle, striking 44-year-old Sergeant Robinson. The other officers returned fire and wounded the suspect. The officers took him into custody. Sergeant Robinson was survived by his wife and son. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/11381-sergeant-lewis-edward-robinson-sr#ixzz20cfVuax8
End of Watch - October 17, 1970
On October 17, 1970, Officer McGraw led a raid on a gambling house on East Fourth Street. Officers were fired upon as they forced their way inside to serve the warrants. Officer McGraw was fatally wounded during the raid. 17 suspects were arrested, and $42,000 in cash, a shotgun and eight handguns were seized. Officer McGraw was 25-years-old. Officer McGraw had been with the agency for three years and was survived by his wife and daughter. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/8995-officer-ronnie-e-mcgraw#ixzz20dCB2qEc
End of Watch - November 23, 1981
While on routine patrol during the evening of November 23, 1981, Officer Cannon stopped at a convenience store in his patrol area. Unknown to Officer Cannon, three men had just robbed the store and were still inside. They ambushed Officer Cannon, mortally wounding him with five shots, and fled. Officer Cannon was 26 years old. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life on June 30, 1982. He died in prison December 27, 1988. Officer Cannon had served with the agency for four years. He was the the first black Charlotte Police Officer killed in the line of duty. He was survived by his son. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/2748-patrol-officer-edmond-n-cannon
End of Watch - July 1, 1982
On June 30, 1982, Officer Coleman was working off-duty at a convenience store on Oaklawn Avenue. Earlier in the evening Officer Coleman had removed an unruly customer from the store. The subject returned with a gun and shot Officer Coleman. Coleman, age 31, died the next day, July 1, from his injuries. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on March 2, 1983.Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/3252-patrol-officer-ernest-coleman#ixzz20cBZqrWj
End of Watch - July 16, 1985
While on patrol on July 16, 1985, Officer Tim Whittington and a fellow officer responded to a first degree burglary call. The subject had robbed an elderly couple and stabbed the elderly man in the chest, arm, and hand, taking a pistol from the home as he fled. When Officer Whittington stopped to question a man who matched the suspect's description, the man pulled a gun and killed Officer Whittington. The suspect was apprehended and sentenced to 150 years in prison. Officer Whittington was 26-years-old and had been with the agency for three years. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/14129-patrol-officer-timothy-wayne-whittington#ixzz20d93Exeg
End of Watch - January 15, 1987
Officer Robert Lewis Smith
On January 15, 1987, Officer Robert Smith responded with other officers to a call on Spyglass Place in reference to shots fired into a condominium complex. While Officer Smith was searching for the source of the shots, a suspect opened fire on Smith, fatally wounding him. Other officers responded to the sound of the gun shots and returned fire, wounding the suspect. The man was taken into custody and sentenced to life in prison. Officer Smith had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife, mother, sister, and two brothers. Officer Smith was 27-years-old. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/12480-police-officer-robert-louis-smith#ixzz20dLuL7Jt
Officer Robert Lewis Smith
On January 15, 1987, Officer Robert Smith responded with other officers to a call on Spyglass Place in reference to shots fired into a condominium complex. While Officer Smith was searching for the source of the shots, a suspect opened fire on Smith, fatally wounding him. Other officers responded to the sound of the gun shots and returned fire, wounding the suspect. The man was taken into custody and sentenced to life in prison. Officer Smith had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife, mother, sister, and two brothers. Officer Smith was 27-years-old. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/12480-police-officer-robert-louis-smith#ixzz20dLuL7Jt
End of Watch - August 6, 1990
On August 5, 1990, Officer Terry Lyles and another officer responded to a domestic disturbance call in northwest Charlotte. Officer Lyles arrested a male at the scene for communicating threats and began driving the suspect to jail for processing. During transport the handcuffed suspect retrieved a small .22 caliber handgun which he had concealed in his underwear and shot Officer Lyles twice through the driver's seat, while still handcuffed, and again as Officer Lyles stumbled out of the car. Lyles died the next day, August 6, from his wounds. The suspect was apprehended and sentenced to death. He was later awarded a new trial and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on April 8, 1994. Officer Lyles had served in law enforcement for just over 2.5 years. He is survived by his wife and parents. Officer Lyles was 32-years-old. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/106-police-officer-milus-terry-lyles#ixzz20cibDCth
End of Watch - November 22, 1991
On November 22, 1991, Officer Griffin was working off-duty at the Red Roof Inn near Nations Ford Rd. Earlier in the evening, Officer Griffin had banned three teenagers from the property. Officer Griffin was sitting in the lobby of the motel when the teenagers returned and one of them fired a shotgun at Officer Griffin. Griffin, 42, died a short time later at the hospital. The shooter and another youth were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life on October 6, 1993. The third suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years. He was paroled September 19, 1996. Officer Griffin is survived by his wife, son, daughter, father and mother, and brother, who is a retired police sergeant. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/278-patrol-officer-eugene-a-griffin#ixzz20cDhp48H
End of Watch - October 5, 1993
On October 5, 1993, Officers John Burnette and Andy Nobles were responding to a call about a suspicious vehicle in Boulevard Homes. After the officers confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen and that the driver was a wanted person, the driver ran into a nearby wooded area. The officers caught up with the suspect, and a struggle ensued. During the fight, the suspect was able to grab one of the officers' service weapon and shot both of them. The suspect was later apprehended after an intense manhunt. Officer Burnette was 25-years-old. The officers were transported to Carolinas Medical Center by responding officers, where both were pronounced dead on arrival. The suspect was arrested nearby after a brief manhunt involving over 700 officers from various local, state, and federal agencies in North Carolina and South Carolina. He was later convicted of two counts of first degree murder and sentenced to death. Officer Burnette had served with the agency for two and a half years. He is survived by his mother, stepfather, and sister. The city of Charlotte named a park and two streets in honor of Officer Burnette and Officer Nobles. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/553-police-officer-john-thomas-burnette#ixzz20dGHTNZ0
End of Watch - October 5, 1993
On October 5, 1993, Officers Andy Nobles and John Burnette were responding to a call about a suspicious vehicle in Boulevard Homes. After the officers confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen and that the driver was a wanted person, the driver ran into a nearby wooded area. The officers caught up with the suspect, and a struggle ensued. During the fight, the suspect was able to grab one of the officers' service weapon and shot both of them. The suspect was later apprehended after an intense manhunt. Officer Nobles was 26-years-old. The officers were transported to Carolinas Medical Center by responding officers, where both were pronounced dead on arrival. The suspect was arrested nearby after a brief manhunt involving over 700 officers from various local, state, and federal agencies in North Carolina and South Carolina. He was later convicted of two counts of first degree murder and sentenced to death. Officer Nobles had been employed with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for 4 years. He is survived by his parents and two brothers. The city of Charlotte named a park and two streets in honor of Officer Nobles and Officer Burnette. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/554-police-officer-anthony-a-nobles#ixzz20dIL35ea.
End of Watch - July 17, 2002
On July 17, 2002, Sergeant Anthony Scott Futrell, a 38-year old Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department pilot, was killed in an aircraft accident in Chowan County in eastern North Carolina. Sergeant Futrell, who piloted the craft, was making a surveillance flight for the Civil Air Patrol as part of a statewide drug eradication program. There was no apparent cause of the crash. Richard Edward Ashley, Jr., a Chowan County sheriff's deputy, and Boone police Major Robert Kennedy were also killed in the crash, also. Approximately 90 minutes into the second flight of the day, the Cessna 172-S experienced problems and crashed. Witnesses on the ground heard the engine sputter and saw the plane nose dive into the ground. There were no radio messages from the pilots indicating any problems. Sergeant Futrell and Major Kennedy, both members of the Civil Air Patrol, were piloting the aircraft and acting as spotters. Deputy Ashley was directing ground units to locations spotted during the flight for further investigation. Sergeant Futrell had been employed with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for 15 years, and is survived by this wife and two teenage children. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/16322-sergeant-anthony-scott-futrell#ixzz20cnSTgwe
End of Watch - April 1, 2007
Officers Jeff Shelton and Sean Clark were responding to what should have been a routine disturbance call for service at the Timber Ridge Apartments near Milton Road in east Charlotte the night of Saturday, March 31, 2007. They were both shot in the head around 11:15 p.m. while struggling with a suspect in the apartment complex parking lot. They died at Carolinas Medical Center in the early morning hours of April 1, 2007, but not before officers picked up Demeatrius Montgomery, who later was charged with their murder. The suspect was later arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The suspect has five prior convictions for resisting arrest and assaulting a government official. On September 30, 2010, he was convicted of two counts of first degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Officer Shelton, 35, was hired February 28, 2001 and graduated in the 136th Recruit Class. Officer Shelton had served with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for six years and was assigned to the North Tryon Division. He is survived by his wife. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/18830-police-officer-jeff-shelton#ixzz20cZv4LV8
End of Watch - April 1, 2007
Officers Sean Clark and Jeff Shelton were responding to what should have been a routine disturbance call for service at the Timber Ridge Apartments near Milton Road in east Charlotte the night of Saturday, March 31, 2007. They were both shot in the head around 11:15 p.m. while struggling with a suspect in the apartment complex parking lot. They died at Carolinas Medical Center in the early morning hours of April 1, 2007, but not before officers picked up Demeatrius Montgomery, who later was charged with their murder. The suspect was later arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The suspect has five prior convictions for resisting arrest and assaulting a government official. On September 30, 2010, he was convicted of two counts of first degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Officer Clark, 34, was hired January 23, 2006 and graduated in the 148th Recruit Class. He was a 1991 graduate of West Mecklenburg High School and had served in the United States Air Force before joining CMPD. He was married, with a 3-1/2 year old son. He and his wife were awaiting the birth of their second son. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/18829-police-officer-sean-clark#ixzz20cdd4CDY
End of Watch - February 25, 2011
Officer Thornton was critically injured when a flash grenade discharged while he was attempting to render the equipment safe after a SWAT warrant service. Officer Thornton underwent emergency surgery, but succumbed to his injuries later that evening. Officer Thornton was a 28 year veteran of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. For 23 of those years he served on the SWAT team and was the longest serving member of the team in the department’s history. Throughout his career in law enforcement, Officer Thornton received numerous departmental and state awards for his bravery, heroism, and community service. He was deployed to assist in affected areas after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and 2006. He also assisted in flood relief efforts in Indiana in 2008. Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/20765-police-officer-frederick-alston-thornton#ixzz20dQxiLrQ
"We'll take it from here" is a comment I see quite often among officers who have lost a brother or sister in the line of duty and they're writing a reflection of sympathy. The fallen officer has given the ultimate sacrifice to keep the citizens on their watch safe. For the officer leaving the reflection, I think it is their way of letting the fallen hero know they can rest in peace....and they'll take it from here.
End of watch .... "we'll take it from here"
"We'll take it from here" is a comment I see quite often among officers who have lost a brother or sister in the line of duty and they're writing a reflection of sympathy. The fallen officer has given the ultimate sacrifice to keep the citizens on their watch safe. For the officer leaving the reflection, I think it is their way of letting the fallen hero know they can rest in peace....and they'll take it from here.
Credit for the historical information in this post goes to the CMPD memorial page and the Officer Down Memorial Page.
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