Roads between Newton and Conover were closed down Thursday as the procession for N.C. Adult Correction Officer Alden Elliott made its way to Catawba Valley Community College for the funeral of the third fallen officer in less than two weeks.
Police officers on motorcycles led the way as the procession left from Bennett Funeral Service. A long line of cars from different agencies, including the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.
Firetrucks blocked off roads on N.C. 16 as the long line of cars, some with lights flashing and sirens blaring, made their way down the road.
The procession was greeted by supporters on U.S. 70 as it went to Catawba Valley Community College, where it was greeted by a crowd of supporters.
The funeral service will be held at the Tarlton Complex at the community college. It is open to the public but will not be broadcast live.
Elliott died after being shot while members of a U.S. Marshals task force attempted to serve warrants on a wanted fugitive. Three other officers died as well, including U.S. Deputy Marshal Thomas Weeks, N.C. Adult Correction Officer Sam Poloche and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joshua Eyer. Four other officers were also injured but have since been released from the hospital.
Elliott and Poloche were serving on the marshals task force at the time of the shooting.
A writing by Elliott's son and only child, Theo, is posted on his obituary page. In a touching tribute to his father, it reads:
"My daddy is a hero.
He died getting the bad guys, that’s what he was good at.
He is a Marine.
He is a Police Officer.
He is kind and patient.
He keeps my mom and I safe.
He is my daddy; the best daddy.
We love playing video games together. He really likes Mario, Zelda, and Metroid Return of Samus.
We collect Pokemon cards. I have a Charizard that he helped me get graded.
He and I have watched every Star Wars movie and series.
My daddy loves playing and watching baseball. His favorite team is the Dodgers.
He is an expert marksman, perfect score every time.
For my 12th birthday he bought me a dirt bike. He bought himself one too, so that we could ride together.
I will learn how to ride it and we will ride together one day, Daddy.
He was the best man I will ever know.
And I hope to be just like him."
"Alden deeply loved his family and took great pride in watching Theo’s path to becoming a young man. His family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations to an account set up for Theo’s benefit be made," the obituary reads.
Elliott worked for the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction for 14 years, starting out as a probation and parole officer and later working as part of the Special Operations and Intelligence Unit assigned to the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force.
“They loved their work, and were passionate about their roles in protecting our communities,” Department Secretary Todd Ishee said in a news release referencing Elliott and Poloche. “These officers died as heroes and made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our state. We remember them, we honor their service, we send our deepest condolences to their families and friends, and we pray for healing for all affected by this tragic incident.”
A funeral service for Poloche is scheduled for Monday, May 13 at First Baptist Charlotte church. Services will begin at 1 p.m. followed by an interment service at Lakeland Memorial Park in Monroe.