Family of Fallen Deputy Taking Donations Today

Donations will be collected Saturday to go towards the son of a Watauga County Deputy who was killed in the line of duty. William Mast was fatally shot the night of July 25 while responding to a police call outside of Boone.

All of the proceeds raised today will go into a scholarship fund for the deputy's son, born less than a month after his death. Donations will be collected at Appalachian State's Kidd Brewer Stadium during the football game, where more than 12 friends of the family will volunteer to collect the money.

Tonight's game starts at 6:30.

Law Enforcement Bicycle Ride to DC

Website @ www.biketodc.com

This year, CMPD fallen Officer Fred Thornton's name has been added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC.  He will be honored during a candlelight vigil on May 13th when the 'Roll Call of Heroes' is called and the fallen Officers are honored.  *This vigil is available via webcast

Never Forget!

CMPD Officers Jeff Shelton and Sean Clark were killed in the line of duty five years ago today.  Please remember their final sacrifice and the sacrifices CMPD Officer's make on a daily basis to keep us safe.  Don't forget to thank an Officer today!

My thoughts and prayers are with the Shelton and Clark families, friends and their brothers and sisters in blue as we remember two wonderful men who gave their lives protecting the citizens of Charlotte.

Burnette-Nobles 17th Annual Golf Tournament

UPDATE:  CMPD Burnette-Nobles Golf Tournament Yields Success!!  Congratulations to all the winners!!  

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CMPD HOPE is hosting the 17th Annual Burnette-Nobles Memorial Golf Tournament.  The tournament will be played on Monday, April 16, 2012 at Birkdale Golf Club (tournament information).   This annual event is held in honor of Officer John Burnette and Officer Andy Nobles, who were “Killed in the Line of Duty” on October 5, 1993.  

The tournament is organized by members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, family members of the slain officers, and countless community volunteers.  Two hundred and eighty-eight golfers participate in the event each year, while others come out to fellowship with us and enjoy a delicious lunch. 

The monies raised from this year’s tournament will be used to support the Burnette-Nobles Fund and the CMPD HOPE Foundation.  The proceeds will be used to support community projects and programs for disadvantaged youth and senior citizens in our community and CMPD employees in a crisis.  Making this event successful this year and in the future can only be accomplished with the generosity of you and your business. To make a donation, please fill out the following form.

Law Enforcement Bicycle Ride to DC

On Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at 9:00 a.m., more than 70 riders will embark on a four day bicycle ride from Charlotte, NC to the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial in Washington DC.  The riders consist of members from law enforcement agencies in North Carolina and Virginia.

The 420 plus mile trek has become a local tradition in law enforcement to honor the men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty.  In the early morning hours of April 1, 2007, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Officers Jeff Shelton and Sean Clark were killed protecting the community.  When Officers Clark and Shelton were killed, there were funerals and grieving and collections of funds to benefit the families of those officers. Yet, some people in the law enforcement community still wanted to do more. They wanted to do something physical in their honor – something they could do to honor Officers Shelton and Clark.

On May 9, 2007, four cyclists from CMPD, Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, and Charlotte Airport Police got on bicycles and headed out from the CMPD Headquarters to make the four day journey.  Four years later and the event has become a tremendous draw, attracting riders from Law Enforcement agencies as far away as New Jersey.  This year 70 riders are expected to participate in the ride; the tragic loss of Officer Fred Thornton this past February 25th has given a renewed sense of purpose to every cyclist.

Please join CMPD on May 10th for a special presentation to the wife of fallen CMPD Officer Fred Thornton during the opening ceremony which begins at 8:30 a.m.  Come on out and give these men and women the recognition they deserve before they wheel off in honor of their brothers and sisters in law enforcement who made the ultimate sacrifice, for us citizens!!!

For additional information on the ride and how you can get involved, please visit their website.  I hope to see you there!!!

We Will Never Forget!

CMPD Officers Jeff Shelton and Sean Clark were killed in the line of duty four years ago today. Please remember their sacrifice and thank an Officer today!

My thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and brothers/sisters in blue as we remember two wonderful men who gave their lives to protect the citizens of Charlotte.

CMPD SWAT Officer Dies in Tragic Accident

On February 25, 2011 at approximately 5:35 p.m., Mint Hill Fire and Rescue responded to a call for service on Tinkerton Court, located in Mint Hill. This is the residence of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Fred Thornton.

Upon arrival, Mint Hill Fire and Rescue located Officer Thornton suffering from life threatening injuries. He was transported to Carolinas Medical Center-Main, where he underwent surgery in an effort to save his life. Despite the heroic efforts by medical staff, Officer Thornton died this evening as result of his injuries.

This afternoon at approximately 3:45 p.m. Officer Thornton assisted with a SWAT warrant in the Metro Division. The warrant service was conducted without incident and SWAT officers cleared the scene at approximately 4:45 p.m. Then Officer Thornton drove his assigned SWAT vehicle to his residence in Mint Hill.

Based on the preliminary investigation, it is believed that Officer Thornton’s injuries were the result of a discharge from a distraction device that occurred during the attempt to render his equipment safe. A distraction device is standard issued equipment to SWAT officers deployed during tactical operations.

Officer Thornton is 28 ½ year veteran of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. He is assigned to the North Tryon Division and a 23-year member of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.

Members of CMPD have been with Officer Thornton’s family at CMC throughout the evening, and are heartbroken over the loss of a veteran member of their family. An investigation is being conducted by the Mint Hill Police Department with the assistance of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.
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The visitation for Officer Thornton will be held Monday, February 28, 2011, from 1800-2100 at First Baptist Church Charlotte, 301 South Davidson Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28231.

The funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at 1100 hours, also at First Baptist Church Charlotte, 301 South Davidson Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28231.

Burial will follow the funeral service at Sharon Memorial Park, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28212.

Never Forget... Officers Clark & Shelton

Sign Petition for Clark-Shelton Memorial Park

A concerned Charlotte citizen started an online petition and paper petition to name the new 90-acre park near Eastway and The Plaza, “Clark-Shelton Memorial Park.” The name is in honor and remembrance of Officer Sean Clark and Officer Jeff Shelton, who were killed in the line of duty in April.

The park is currently named “Eastway Specialty Park.” Let’s work together to make this a park that will forever honor these brave and dedicated officers who gave their lives for our city!

Click here to sign the online petition

View Website & Link to paper petition

Officer Jeff Shelton Memorial Park

The Ace & TJ Show is organizing the building of two different parks in honor and remembrance of the two fallen officers, Jeff Shelton and Sean Clark.

On Saturday, fellow officers and volunteers started to rebuild an existing run-down park in Locust, NC- now named 'Officer Jeff Shelton Memorial Park.' Over the weekend, the playground equipment was replaced with brand new stuff... Check out the plans for the park... it's going to be a beautiful place! If you are interested in watching, Ace & TJ published a short video showing the progress of the construction on the playground. Officer Clark's park is still in the planning phase.

If you are interested in purchasing an engraved brick or donating money towards the park renovations, please visit Ace & TJ's site for instructions. Kudos to Ace & TJ for all the hard work and leading the way...

Shelton & Clark Memorial Football Bash

To purchase tickets, send your check or money order to:

'Our Heroes'
P.O. Box 620142 - Charlotte, NC 28262

~ Make sure you include your full name and number of tickets to pick-up at will call on the day of the event. For more information, e-mail the CMPD contacts ~

The Charlotte Cobras football team will be taking on The Georgia Extreme in a charity football game to raise funds for the families of fallen CMPD Officer Jeff Shelton and Officer Sean Clark.

The Charlotte Cobras are made up of public safety officers from Mecklenburg County and The Georgia Extreme are made up of Public Safety officers from Cobb County, Georgia.

Officer Killer Eligible for Death Penalty

Demeatrius Montgomery, the man charged with killing Officer Sean Clark and Officer Jeff Shelton, appeared in court this morning. The hearing was set for a judge to decide if the state could seek the death penalty against Montgomery.

The Clark and Shelton families attended the hearing today along with many uniformed officers. As Montgomery was brought into the courtroom, Officer Clark's father stood up and glared at the man accused of murdering his son. (More Info)

Montgomery's defense attorney, Duane Bryant, tried to prevent prosecutors from seeking the death penalty. Bryant stated three reasons why the state should not make this a capital murder case. He said the state did not prove aggravating factors and the indictment did not provide enough information on the charges against Montgomery. Lastly, defense attorney Duane Bryant stated the death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment.

In the end, Superior Court Judge Don Bridges ruled Montgomery is eligible for Death Penalty and the state could proceed with capital murder charges against him.

Fallen Officers Shot at Close Range

The Charlotte Observer is reporting Officer Sean Clark and Officer Jeff Shelton were executed at close range by Demeatrius Antonio Montgomery. The article states that firearm experts have determined that Officers Clark and Shelton were shot from less than three feet away.

The Observer states the autopsies reveal Montgomery used a .32 caliber handgun to kill the officers. Officer Clark was shot twice, once in his right ear and once in his right cheek. Officer Shelton was shot once in the right upper neck just below the jaw and the bullet exited through the top of his head.

CMPD is still assisting in collecting donations for the fallen officers families. A group of police officers and others left this morning to bicycle all the way to Washington, DC for Police Week as a fundraiser for the Clark and Shelton families.

Fallen Officer Memorial

The Fallen Officer Memorial located at the Sharon Memorial Park & Cemetery is a beautiful site honoring the brave officers who have died in the line of duty in Charlotte.

Last week, photojournalist Jonathan Jones visited the Memorial and photographed an employee replacing flags and the flag pole at the Memorial. A small bouquet of sunflowers were left at the police memorial with a card that read:

“Heros! Clark and Shelton, You will never be forgotten!”

Photos By: Jonathan Jones

Blue Ribbon Campaign a Success!!

The blue ribbon campaign and donation drive we held Saturday was a success! We raised $2,200 for the Clark and Shelton families and handed out hundreds of blue ribbons to show support for our police officers!

I could not have done it alone and I have so many people to thank who came out with little or no notice to help out! I cannot even begin to tell you how much your help means to me. We will be out again soon so all those who could not make it on Saturday will have another opportunity to help. I promise I will give more notice next time!

Thank you to Sergeant Geiler who came out on his day off to represent the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9 and assist in collect funds for the fallen officers families. Thank you to the all the Independence Division Police Officers, Chief Darrel Stephens, Julie Hill and many other officers, members of the F.O.P. Lodge #9 and other police folk who stopped by to show support and lend a helping hand. A special thank you to Officer Scanlon (who worked all last night) and his wife Tammy for coming to help.

The men and women who work at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department are truly an amazing group! They are always there when you need them in an emergency but they are also there when you need them in non-emergency situations as well.

A huge thank you to Larry Bumgarner who has helped so much with both ribbon drives and has donated so much including his time, ribbon, drinks, supplies, beautiful framed photos of the fallen officers to display and especially for the back of his car- which was well used on both windy days!

Thank you to Rise Ward who came armed with blue ribbon and stood out in the cold with us for hours helping hand out blue ribbons and collect donations. Thank you to Carolyn McCaskill who brought TONS of blue ribbon, a huge platter filled with cold cuts & cheese, croissants and condiments galore! Also, Carolyn has worked tirelessly hanging beautiful blue ribbons on Seneca Place & Tyvola Rd. areas to show support for the police.

Thank you to O'Charley's restaurant on Sardis Road for bringing food and drinks and to Value City Department Store for allowing us to use their parking lot!

Most of all, thank you to the citizens of Charlotte for coming together to show our police officers how much we appreciate them! It is terrible it took such a tragedy for us to let them know we care but it came at a time they needed it most... and I hope it never ends!

Officer Jeff Shelton Laid to Rest - Forever Our Hero

Photos: The Charlotte Observer, WSOC-TV, WCNC

Officer Sean Clark Laid to Rest - Forever Our Hero

Photos By: Jonathan Jones

* If you were at the funeral today and would like a copy of any photos shown above, please e-mail Jonathan and he will be honored to send them to you. *

Candlelight Vigil for Fallen Officers

Photos from the candlelight vigil held on Wednesday night at Marshall Park to honor Officer Clark and Officer Shelton. Photos By: Jonathan Jones

Support Our Police Officers - Turn Charlotte BLUE!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by today to pick-up a blue ribbon and show your support for our Police Officers! A special thank you to Larry Bumgarner for donating ribbon, supplies and spending the entire day handing out ribbons! I could not have done it without you! We handed out hundreds of ribbons, met a lot of wonderful people and it was great to meet some of the readers of this blog!

View Photos & News Coverage

Show your support for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officers and place a blue ribbon on your car, your mailbox, fence post and every other place you can think of! Let our beloved police officers know we care and support them. It doesn't matter what color blue you use, as long as it is blue!

Let's come together and turn Charlotte BLUE!

*If you would like a ribbon mailed to you, please contact WBT and they will send you up to four ribbons*

Please send monetary donations to help Officer Clark and Officer Shelton's families, please mail your check to:

Police Benevolent Fund (c/o Greg Crystal)

CMPD Headquarters - 601 East Trade Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

- Funeral Arrangement Information-

- Where to send Flowers & Cards -
- Send your Condolences -

*If you would like to help distribute or donate blue ribbons, please e-mail me* Listen to the Jeff Katz show @ WBT 1110 for more information on where you can pick up a blue ribbon around Charlotte. Jeff started the blue ribbon campaign and deserves a huge high five for what he started!