Community members line Highway 70 to honor the officer killed in a shooting

HICKORY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Family, friends, community members and throngs of law enforcement said goodbye to a hero Thursday evening. A memorial service was held at Catawba Valley Community College to honor North Carolina Department of Corrections investigator William “Alden” Elliott.

The procession and memorial service honoring Elliott looked a little different than the services for Officer Joshua Eyer and Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks, but people still came to honor Elliott for his ultimate sacrifice.

Police motorcycles and patrol cars throughout 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 for an armed felon.

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 this never happened, but it’s nice to see the community showing up,” said Daniel, of Charlotte. “Different police and fire departments from all over. It’s just incredible, beautiful.”

Elliott served in the Department of Corrections for 14 years. He was assigned to the U.S. Marshals Task Force, which apprehended some of our region’s most dangerous violent criminals, a task in which he died less than two weeks ago.

“Thanks to them, we all get up every day and go about our lives.”

Anthony Lail, a Catawba County resident, said. “We know our children are safe. We are safe because these people care for us every day, protecting us and serving their communities on our behalf. We should support them.”

Members of the Hickory Fire Department hung 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, women and families facing this,” said Melody Elrod of Catawba County.

The memorial service for co-investigator Sam Poloche is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church in Uptown.