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Incident
Investigator Sam Poloche and Investigator Alden Elliott of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, Police Officer Joshua Eyer of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks were shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant in the 5500 block of Galway Drive in east Charlotte.
At 1:30 p.m., members of the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force attempted to serve a felony warrant for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The wanted subject ambushed them with a high-powered rifle and engaged them in a prolonged gun battle.
Investigator Poloche, Investigator Elliott, and Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks were killed at the scene. Officer Joshua Eyer succumbed to his wounds several hours later. Three officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and a second Deputy United States Marshal were also wounded.
The wanted subject was shot and killed, and two subjects were taken into custody for questioning.
Investigator Poloche had served with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction for 14 years and was assigned to the Special Operations and Intelligence Unit.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Investigator Poloche gave the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Raleigh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Poloche.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Samuel is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2024, 4 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 2024, 68 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 105th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2024, 68 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 42. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Samuel had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Samuel was 42. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 10.1% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Mondays: 12.7%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction has 2 officers remembered here, Samuel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-WT
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from North Carolina Department of Adult Correction are honored on badge.nw.
