Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Greg Alia was shot and killed when he and two other officers responded to a suspicious person call at the Richland Mall shortly before 8:00 am.
The officers located the subject inside a van in the mall's parking lot. As they spoke to him the man became uncooperative and then fled on foot into the mall. During the ensuing struggle the subject produced a stolen .40 caliber handgun and fatally shot Officer Alia.
The man was apprehended a short time later and charged with murder. He was subsequently convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison on May 9th, 2017.
Officer Alia had served with the Forest Acres Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, 6-month-old son, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-42FB7C9B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Alia gave the Forest Acres Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Alia.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Gregory Thomas Alia is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In SC, 271 of 438 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Forest Acres Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gregory Thomas Alia's cause is highlighted.
How Gregory Thomas Alia Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gregory Thomas Alia is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gregory Thomas Alia was killed by handgun; .40 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Forest Acres Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
