We hope that everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying this holiday season with friends and family!
On November 1st we learned that Lt. Dempski with the Huntersville Police Department had suffered a house fire – leaving him and his family without their home. He has faithfully served his Department and community for more than 25 years – and we got to witness the community gather to support him and his family. Over 30,000 dollars has been raised so far! Thank you to all of those who shared and donated to his GoFundMe (set up by a family member). If you still would like to assist please visit https://gofund.me/84c3d985
On November 2nd, a Matthews officers assigned to the Patrol Division responded to the 11500 block of Idlewild Road regarding a report of a Mint Hill police officer who had been struck by a car as a pedestrian. Upon their arrival, it was discovered that the Mint Hill officer was struck by a car while directing traffic in front of Mint Hill Middle School and suffered significant injuries. He was transported to the hospital by Medic for treatment. The driver of the car, Mrs. Judith Gail Kircher (DOB - 08/17/1947) of Charlotte, was charged with Reckless Driving and Fail to Obey Officer. We are hoping for a quick and easy for this Officer and do not know of their current condition. We encourage all motorists to remain vigilant during their travels and eliminate any possible distractions while traveling.
On November 7th, two Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were shot while attempting to arrest a wanted suspect. At approximately 9:26 a.m., Deputies responded to Lois Ann Dr., Maxton in reference to a possible locate of a wanted person. Upon the arrival of the Deputies, the suspect fled on foot into a wooded area. During the pursuit, additional Deputies arrived and attempted to apprehend the suspect. When Deputies encountered the suspect in the wooded area, multiple shots were fired and the Deputies were struck by gunfire. The suspect then entered a Deputy’s patrol vehicle and fled from the scene. While fleeing from the scene, a Deputy was run over by the patrol vehicle. During the encounter, the Deputies returned gunfire and the suspect was shot multiple times. Deputy Jonathan Walters, 37 was shot in the lower body and was initially listed in critical but stable condition. Walters has been with the Sheriff’s Office since March 2020 and is assigned to the Patrol Division. Deputy Kaelin Locklear, 23 was shot in the upper body and was initially listed in stable condition. Locklear has been with the Sheriff’s Office since May 2021 and is assigned to the Patrol Division. The suspect, Shawn Tobin Locklear Jr., 20, of Maxton was listed in critical but stable condition.
The suspect was wanted for Violation of Pre-Trial Release for cutting his ankle bracelet on September 28, 2023, assault on a female, and assault by pointing a gun. The suspect was charged on March 20, 2022, and released on bond on March 20, 2022, for the offenses of robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony fleeing/eluding law enforcement, injury to personal property and fictitious registration plates. The suspect was also out on bond for First Degree Murder, Robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony conspiracy and discharging a weapon into occupied property. The murder occurred on November 29, 2022, and was released on bond on May 5, 2023. “I am as frustrated as I have ever been,” says Sheriff Burnis Wilkins. “We continue to pray that we don’t lose either of these Deputies due to the actions of a suspect who clearly has shown he is a dangerous criminal. For a murder suspect to be out roaming the streets of our county under the pretense of being on Pre-trial release is a travesty. District Attorney Matt Scott and his office, along with pre-trial representatives, were against his release, and somehow, it still occurred. This man should have been in jail. We continue to do our jobs, and I need the courts to do theirs.”
On November 11th we honored all those who served our great nation and hope they had a wonderful and safe Veteran’s Day!
We would like to give a huge thank you to Innospec Inc. and their employee Kris for nominating us for the Innospec Cares Program. The Innospec Cares program supports the great work Innospec employees undertake in raising money to give to charities, local communities, and good cause initiatives close to their hearts. Because of Kris's nomination for Back The Blue NC, Inc., we were blessed with a $500 donation to help us continue our mission of assisting families of NC Law Enforcement Officers killed in the line of duty. If you are interested in donating to Back The Blue NC, Inc. please visit www.backthebluenc.org/1033 All donations are tax-deductible and 100% of your donation goes to assisting the children and families of Fallen NC Law Enforcement Officers.
November 17th a Bridge Dedication Ceremony was held in memoriam of Fallen CMPD Officer Mia Goodwin. Officer Mia Goodwin had served the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for six years, and had just returned from maternity leave after the birth of her third child, when she was struck and killed on-duty by a tractor trailer truck. She passed on December 22, 2021 and is survived by her husband and three children. We continue to pray for her family, both blood and blue.
November 18th was a big day for us as we marched in the annual Raleigh Christmas parade for the second year in a row! Thank you Wake County Sheriff's Office and Knightdale Police Department for having some of your Deputies and Officers join us this year to honor Deputy Byrd and Officer Hayworth. This year we honored all NC Law Enforcement Officers who have been killed in the line of duty since our founding in 2020.
On November 28th our Founder and CEO, Lindsay LiCausi, had the opportunity to speak to a class of aspiring Police Cadets at Wake Tech's BLET Orientation in regards our the Deputy Byrd Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship, which will be granted once a year, will allow a cadet to attend the next Wake Tech BLET Program completely sponsored by this scholarship (to include tuition, campus fees, books, equipment, uniforms, etc). Cadet candidates who are not already sponsored by an agency will be considered. The scholarship recipient will be chosen by our board based on a combination of merit, dedication, service, and financial need. It is our goal to sponsor a cadet, who otherwise may not be able to pay for the program, to complete BLET and serve their community as a Law Enforcement Officer.
November 29th, a woman who was attempting to get out of being arrested intentionally hit and injured two Monroe probation officers with her car before fleeing the scene. She had two small children in the car with her. Officers responded and found Ramsey running in a field at W. Hwy 74 and Rocky River Road. She had the children with her and she was immediately arrested. One of the children had minor injuries. Both probation officers are suffering from serious injuries and remain in the hospital at this time.