The family of Deputy Sheriff Thomas M. “Tommy” Weeks, one of the four officers killed in a shootout last week at the wanted suspect’s home in Charlotte, said hundreds of people attended Monday’s memorial service. She spoke about her husband’s murderer in front of a group of people. United States Attorney General Merrick Garland;
“This tragedy was caused by someone who had no respect for human life,” Kelly Weeks said of the murderer, Terry Clark Hughes Jr., 39.
Hughes died at the scene after shooting Weeks. North Carolina Adult Corrections Department (NCDAC) officers Sam Polosh and William “Alden” Elliott were members of the USMS Fugitive Task Force along with Weeks. CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer from the second floor of his home on Galway Drive in Charlotte on April 29th.
Four police officers were injured at the scene while attempting to issue a warrant for Hughes’ arrest. The suspect had a “significant” criminal history, according to North Carolina Public Records and CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings.
Kelly Weeks, widow of slain Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks Jr., looks out over attendees at her husband’s memorial service at Bojangles Coliseum on Monday, May 6, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (center). (Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer, via AP)
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Two additional persons of interest, both female and one just 17 years old, were taken into custody. Authorities are continuing to determine if anyone else was involved in the shooting.
Authorities recovered an AR-15 rifle, a .40-caliber handgun, magazines and ammunition from the residence, and Jennings said more than 100 shots were fired during the shootout.
“Tommy’s mission in life was to make the world safer and fight for justice,” Weeks’ wife said. “So what do I need? I need this country to come together and support our law enforcement officers, just like my husband did, so we can continue to fight for justice. Thank police officers every day and encourage your children to show justice to police officers with proper respect. ”
The widowed mother of four hoped her 48-year-old husband’s memory would inspire others to “encourage our fellow brothers and sisters in all positions of law enforcement.”
This undated photo provided by the U.S. Marshals Service shows Thomas M. Weeks. Weeks was a deputy U.S. marshal assigned to the Western District of North Carolina and was one of four police officers killed in Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 29, 2024. (U.S. Marshals Service via AP)
Weeks said her husband was a devoted father and husband who always walked on the inside of the road to protect her from traffic and wanted her to be at arm’s length.
“Every day I woke up in the morning, a man told me he loved me. ‘You’re the most beautiful woman,’ ‘I’m so lucky to have you.’ That means I was lucky.”
His wife said Mr. Weeks would “do anything” to make his loved ones “feel special,” including “forcing them to drink a Guinness or a glass of whiskey,” and “taking them out for a golf trip or going to the lake.” I encourage them to come or just give something.” I called to check on the situation. ”
Weeks is a 13-year veteran of the sheriff’s office and has been working in Charlotte since 2014, the department said. After starting his law enforcement career in Washington, D.C. in 2011, he worked for eight years with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
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The home where four law enforcement officers were killed remains destroyed in Charlotte, North Carolina, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. On Monday, four police officers were killed in a gunfight as they tried to serve a search warrant. (Audrey Conklin/Fox News Digital)
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Her husband’s work made Weeks aware of the risks law enforcement officers take every day to “protect the bubble.”
“As I look out over this crowd, I see so many law enforcement officers here to pay their respects. This is a stark reminder of the sacrifices these men and women make every day.” she said. “If you are not serving or have family members who are, you can sleep peacefully at night knowing that you are protected by so many brave men and women.”
Garland told mourners that he called Weeks’ spouse in hopes of lifting her spirits, but he said she unexpectedly perked up.
“Last Tuesday, the Department of Justice called to express our deepest condolences to the family,” Garland said. “I hope that I can offer you some form of comfort and support in the midst of unimaginable loss. What I did not expect was the amount you would do to support the Marshals Service and the military.” The Department of Justice at this time of immense grief.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland climbs the steps to the podium to speak at the memorial service for slain U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks Jr. at Bojangles Coliseum on Monday, May 6, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Weeks Jr. died during a standoff with the gunman. Monday, April 29th. (Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer, via AP)
Last week, Nicole Parker, a former FBI agent with the Miami Violent Fugitive Task Force, asked Garland and the Department of Justice to provide more specific guidance for arrests and removals made by agencies overseen by the Department of Justice, including U.S. Marshals. He called for the establishment of appropriate procedures.
She described last week’s shooting that killed FBI Special Agents Daniel Alfin and Laura Schwartzenberger as they were attempting to execute a warrant against a Florida suspect wanted for violent crimes against children. He likened it to the February 2021 incident.
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(LR) Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas M. Weeks, Agent William “Alden” Elliott, Trooper Joshua Eyer, and Agent Samuel “Sam” Poroche on Monday, April 29, 2024, North Carolina He was killed in a police shootout in Charlotte. (U.S. Marshals Service/NCDAC/Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department/Sean Rayford/Getty Images via AP)
She noted that Mr. Garland did not appear at their funerals and that no formal changes have been made to protect federal employees who find themselves in similar situations in the future.
Like Weeks’ wife, she called for respect for law enforcement officers from both the public and the federal government.
“Until our country wakes up, shows respect, learns the lessons from these tragedies, shares those lessons and makes some changes, things like this will continue to happen,” Parker said. “That’s why everyone is leaving. Law enforcement officers don’t expect anyone to support us.”
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President Biden traveled to Charlotte on Thursday to meet with families of fallen officers and members of the CMPD, saying in a statement that “we must do more to protect our law enforcement officers.”
“That means funding them so they have the resources they need to do their jobs and keep us safe,” the president said in a statement Monday. Ta. “And that means taking additional action to combat the scourge of gun violence. Now is the time for Congressional leaders to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and mandate safe storage of firearms.” , must be further strengthened to pass universal background checks and national identification.” Enough is enough about flag laws. ”
