Jeff Shelton and Sean Clark EOW March 31, 2007

17 years ago today we lost two CMPD Officers.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Officers Jeff Shelton, 34, and Sean Clark, 35,were ambushed by a violent thug who doesn't deserve to even have his name mentioned. They were responding to a domestic disturbance call for service at Timber Ridge Apartments in east Charlotte. 

The Officers never had time to draw their weapons. 

The thug never spoke a word afterward, including to his attorneys. No motive, they surmised. Just death, for death’s sake. 

The thug was given two life sentences rather than the death penalty he deserved. Those sentences are to be served consecutively. When he dies he will have served the first sentence and then can begin the second sentence. In way that now seems more fitting as he will never be free instead he'll always be in chains.

Officers Shelton and Clark were shot late on the night of March 31, 2007. This was the second time two CMPD Officers were killed in the line of duty at the same time. 

On October 5, 1993, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers John Burnette and Andy Nobles were where shot and killed chasing a thug who ran into the woods near the Boulevard Homes housing project. 

Now 30 years have passed from the year of John and Andy's death and 17 years from the events of the night of March 31, 2007 and the murder of Sean and Jeff.

Back in 2007 there were two funerals. Two different days. Both funerals were held at Calvary church in south Charlotte with standing room only for the thousands who attended; each burial held afterward, miles away provided a miles long procession of cars that left the church for the grave sites along the entire length of both routes crowds lined the streets as the procession moved across the county. 

The years roll on, and yet we don't forget. We will never forget.

Godspeed, rest in peace brothers, we have the watch.