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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
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Forest Acres Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Gregory is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Gregory is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gregory is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2015, 1 officer in SC was killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 2015, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2015, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gregory was 32. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Gregory had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Gregory was 32. 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. Gregory had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gregory was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gregory had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.9% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Wednesdays: 8.8%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Forest Acres Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun; .40 caliber, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .40 caliber, in 0.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .40 caliber, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .40 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Forest Acres Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Gregory among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Forest Acres Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
