Community members line Hwy 70 to honor Officer killed in shootout
HICKORY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Family, friends, community members and hoards of law enforcement said their goodbyes to a hero Thursday evening. A memorial service was held to honor North Carolina Department of Corrections Investigator William “Alden” Elliott at Catawba Valley Community College.
The procession and memorial service to honor Elliott looked a little different than services for Officer Joshua Eyer and Deputy US Marshal Thomas Weeks, but people still showed up to pay tribute to Elliott for making the ultimate sacrifice.
Community to honor the life and service of Investigator William ‘Alden’ Elliott Thursday
Motorcycles and police cruisers from departments across the area escorted Elliott’s body from Bennett Funeral Service in Newton to the Hickory college campus, where a memorial service was held without cameras.
Elliott was one of four officers killed in a shootout April 29 in east Charlotte while serving a warrant to a felon with weapons.
Community members lined U.S. Highway 70 to pay their respects to Elliott in Hickory. Last week, he was transported from Charlotte to Newton, with communities in between showing their support.
“We all wish that never happened, but it’s nice to see the community come out,” Daniel from Charlotte said. “Different departments police and fire departments from everywhere. It’s just amazing, beautiful.”
Elliott spent 14 years with the Department of Corrections. He was assigned to the US Marshals Task Force that apprehended some of the most dangerous violent criminals in our region, a job he died doing less than two weeks ago.
“It’s because of them that all of us get up every day and go about our lives,”
Anthony Lail, a Catawba County resident, said. “We know our children are safe. We’re safe because these guys take care of us and protect us every day and they serve their communities for us, we should back them.”
Members of the Hickory Fire Department draped an American flag over ladders at the CVCC entrance creating a bridge to pay tribute to the 46-year-old hero. He leaves behind his wife and son.
“This broke my heart, not just for all of them, but for all the men and the women and the families that are facing that,” said Catawba County resident Melody Elrod.
The memorial service for fellow investigator Sam Poloche is scheduled for Monday at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Uptown.
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