2 Black CMPD officers return to serve community, bring peace during unrest

CHARLOTTE — Stress and civil unrest have forced some officers to make a choice to leave a job they loved for the benefit of their mental health.

CMPD police officer Darrion Eichelberger was on the front lines in riot gear during the city’s 2016 protest that happened after police shot and killed Keith Lamont Scott in northeast Charlotte.

[Keith Lamont Scott’s family files lawsuit against police, city]

“And there was a massive crowd that day,” Eichelberger said. “But it was just a large crowd of people directly in front of me, in particular, and I’m getting (called) sellout, and I got this. I got that.”

The alleged murder of a Black man, George Floyd, in Minnesota by a white police officer earlier this year started a national movement.

“Everything from 2016 was coming at me and then that incident was coming at me,” Eichelberger said. “All of a sudden, I found myself buckling on the floor, just bawling. And I’m looking and every time I look up, I’m just crying my eyes out. And I’m just like, ‘I need to be out there. I need to be out there.’”

[30 people arrested during 2nd night of protests in Charlotte, police say]

That brought Eichelberger, a Black man, back to duty to bring hope to the Queen City.

“Something said, ‘Man, go back to where you started,’” he said.

It was that moment of civil unrest that inspired Officer Rich Gladden to return to the force, as well.

“I love this profession,” Gladden said. “And seeing what took place in other parts of the country, because of the actions of one person, who happens to be white and another, who happens to be Black -- and looked like someone who could be my family member -- broke my heart.”

Gladden told Channel 9 crime reporter Mark Becker why he decided to wear the uniform again.

“Simple,” Gladden said. “I have kids who are Black and they’re going to grow up in this world. So, if they see me every day put this uniform on, go out and protect people, who I have no idea who they are or their background, that gives them something to grow up and hope for.”

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