CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Tuesday will mark one year since four law enforcement officers lost their lives in the line of duty in Charlotte's Shannon Park neighborhood.
On Sunday, hundreds of first responders, community members and the loved ones of those who died gathered to honor their memories through the Tunnel to Towers Climb. It's a foundation supporting families of fallen first responders.
"This past year has been one of the most difficult in the department's history," said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings. "Through the heartbreak, Charlotte has stood beside us."
Charlotte showed up once again. More than 1,800 people spent part of their weekend running up 1,454 stairs inside Bank of America Stadium.
Climbing up and down, they worked their way around the lower level while thinking of the sacrifices made that brought them to this event.
"Their life was on the line, thinking about that every time I go up was definitely going through my mind," said one runner.
The Tunnel to Towers Climb happens yearly in the Queen City, but this year holds a special meaning.
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"CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer, Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas "Tommy" Weeks, North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections Investigators William "Alden" Elliott and Samuel Poloche," said Chief Jennings.
Those are the names of the four men who were shot and killed while trying to serve arrest warrants in the Shannon Park neighborhood last year. Some of their wives were in attendance to share what they'd like their husbands' legacies to be.
"I ask you to spend more time remembering the lives of each of them more than you think about April 29," said Ashley Eyer, wife of Officer Eyer. "Remember them as fathers, husbands, sons, brothers and friends. Remember their laughs and their little quirks. Remember that you loved them long before you lost them."
Their grief and inspiring words fueled the runners to cross the finish line, receive their medals and hold onto hope.
"We have to have hope because, without it, you can't survive," said Kelly Weeks, wife of Deputy U.S. Marshal Weeks.
The wives left the crowd with a call to action.
"I've fought it nearly every day for a year, but I'm still here and so are you," said Ashley. "So let's make it count, okay?"
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