North Carolina
Fallen N.C. officers honored during annual ceremonial event
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dozens of people packed a Concord church to honor the men and women who paid the ultimate price.
The 40th annual North Carolina Peace Officers’ Memorial Day ceremony took place Tuesday morning at Multiply Church.
The ceremonial event pays respects to fallen officers.
Julynn Washington is the accreditation policy manager at N.C. Justice Academy. She’s also the coordinator for the Peace Officers’ Memorial Day ceremony.
Washington said it’s important to pay homage to officers that didn’t return home.
“We want to make sure their loved ones know we do appreciate their service to the communities,” Washington said. “It is unfortunate we [must] have this ceremony because that means families are being inducted to a club they may not necessarily want to be a part of.”
Washington said families of the fallen heroes received a flag in remembrance of their loved ones.
During the ceremonies, leaders read names of those added to The North Carolina Honor Roll, which lists names of fallen heroes, dating back to 1804.
Tuesday’s event added eight more names to the list, all of whom died while serving in 2024:
- Christopher Johnson
- William Alden Elliott
- Joshua Eyer
- Samuel Poloche
- Thomas M. Weeks
- Michelle Lynn Quintero
- Charles James “Jim” Lau
- Michael Horan
Cielo Poloche is the wife of fallen hero Samuel Poloche. They were married for 22 years.
“Sam was very quiet,” Poloche said. “He was constantly observing but to himself. When he warmed up, he would love to talk to you for hours.”
Samuel Poloche is one of four officers killed in April 2024 while serving a warrant in a Charlotte community.
Cielo Poloche expressed gratitude to those offering support to her and family during these times.
“This year has been very chaotic. There’s been a lot thrown at us over the year, but things are starting to wrap up and calm down,” Poloche said. “We’re at over the year mark and these events will be the last, as sort of the finish line for us. I feel really special just all the attention and support that’s been given to my family. It just feels comfortable, like they’re remembered, and we’re taken care of in his absence.”
The North Carolina Peace Officers’ Memorial Day ceremony also included a presentation of colors, Memorial Honor Guard and 21-gun salute.
Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
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Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Fire crews are responding to a brush fire near Howard Gap Road in Hendersonville on Friday evening.
The fire is across the street from the Ebenezer Baptist Church and near the Highlands Square Shopping Center.
Henderson County Fire Marshal Glen Gillette said crews are fighting “blowdown from Helene.”
NEW WILDFIRES IGNITE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA FOREST AMID WORSENING DROUGHT
Around 11 p.m., the fire appears larger than it did an hour ago because crews are backburning, which refers to using fire to help control the wildfire.
Dana Fire Department Chief Jimmy Womack said that what was a 3-acre fire an hour ago will be an 8-acre fire due to back burning. He said the fire is 80% contained.
Womack said the cause of the fire is unknown, but one of the conditions contributing to the blaze is the Helene blowdown.
“There’s a lot of blowdown in these woods behind us. That’s what creates most of the problem,” said Womack.
Womack said there has been no property damage and no injuries have been reported for this fire in the woods that 24 personnel are fighting. They got the call to arrive at 6:05 p.m.
LOCAL NEWS
Dana Fire and Rescue and Henderson County Fire Department are supporting the U.S. Forest Service with this fire.
Glen said no structures are threatened at this time and Howard Gap Road is closed.
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This story will be updated as new information is discovered.
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