CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ashley Eyer admitted it could have been a bad idea to speak publicly so soon after her husband's death, but for a few moments, the widow of fallen Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joshua Eyer delivered a passionate eulogy honoring the man she says she'll love forever.
Eyer, 31, was killed in the line of duty on Monday. He was among four officers killed when a U.S. Marshals task force was serving arrest warrants in east Charlotte. Five other officers were injured during the shootout.
Eyer, who lived in Mooresville with his wife and 3-year-old son, Andrew, also served as part of the North Carolina National Guard. Ashley Eyer spoke at length about her husband's community service, their love and her plea to keep his memory alive.
"He was so good to me," Eyer said. "I never have and I never will question how much he loves me. I will carry his love with me for the rest of my life."
She told the crowd how much Eyer loved his fellow officers and friends. But beyond that, Eyer said her husband loved being a father and family man. She pleaded for everyone who knew Joshua Eyer to constantly remind their son how much he was loved.
"Being a father was undoubtedly his most cherished role," she said. "All of this has been amazing and such an honor to our family ... So if you really want to honor him, please help me by maintaining his legacy through Andrew. Help me teach him about how his daddy was and what he meant to each of you."
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