CHARLOTTE — Friday morning, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department honored the heroes who have 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 does every year; however, this year felt a little different as they once again honored another 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, along with three other members of law enforcement, were killed almost three weeks ago in an east Charlotte ambush.
[ ALSO READ: Families, law enforcement gather in Washington for National Police Week ]
Eyer was the first CMPD officer killed in the line of duty since Officer Mia Goodwin was killed while responding to an accident on Interstate 85 in December of 2021.
Her name and badge were added to the memorial in Uptown. She was a mother and the wife of a Charlotte firefighter.
The event started with a wreath-laying ceremony before guests delivered remarks.
One of those guests was San Francisco 49ers head coach Steve Wilks, who also spent the 2022 season with the Carolina Panthers.
“The accountability that you show every day by going out, representing, and protecting this community. The commitment that you show in trying to honor, uphold, and do your job. The trust that you build each and every day out there in the community. You guys are the true, active champions,” Wilks expressed.
CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings also spoke, echoing the request from the families of the fallen that encouraged the community to spend time remembering just how heroic those four men were.
VIDEO: National Police Week: Honoring fallen heroes in Washington
This browser does not support the video element.