Holly MatkinMount Holly, NC – Mount Holly Police Department (MHPD) Officer Tyler Avery Herndon was murdered in the line of duty on Friday morning during a gunfight with an armed burglary suspect, according to police.
The incident began at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 11 when several Mount Holly officers and a Gaston County Police officer were dispatched to a report of a burglary-in-progress at a business located at 313 Beatty Drive, the Mount Holly Police Department (MHPD) said in a Facebook post.
“When officers arrived, they encountered an armed subject,” the MHPD said. “During the encounter, several shots were fired between the subject and several Mount Holly police officers in addition to a Gaston County police officer, who responded to the incident.”
Officer Herndon, 25, was hit by gunfire during the ensuing shootout.
He was rushed to CaroMont Main hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.
The MHPD identified the alleged shooter as 24-year-old Joshua Tyler Funk.
Funk was transported to the hospital with a “minor” gunshot wound, and was subsequently released and booked into the Gaston County Jail, the MHPD said.
He has since been charged with murder, and was being transported to the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office late Friday morning to be held there, according to police.
The MHPD Internal Affairs Bureau will conduct a “separate but parallel investigation” to determine whether or not police followed department procedures and policies during the incident, the department said.
The North Carolina Bureau of Investigation is handling the ongoing investigation into the officer-involved shooting, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
The MHPD confirmed Officer Herndon’s death in a Facebook post late Friday morning.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share that our brother Officer Tyler Herndon passed away as a result of injuries sustained from this morning’s shooting,” the department said. “Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
Officer Herndon was just two days shy of his 26th birthday when he was killed.
He had been with the MHPD for less than two years, according to his department.
“We are so sad,” Mount Holly Mayor Bryan Hough told the Gaston Gazette while driving in a procession of police cars to Charlotte Friday morning. “It’s emotional and so sad for his family, for the other officers and for him. Just senseless.”
“Pray. Pray for the police officers who were there, who rode with him in the ambulance,” Hough said. “I can’t even imagine what they’re going to go through.”
The flags outside of Mount Holly municipal complex and police department are being lowered in honor of Officer Herndon @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/J2DsKjlvpF
— Genevieve Curtis (@GenevieveWSOC9) December 11, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mount Holly (NC) Police Department and the friends and family of Officer Tyler Herndon who was shot and killed early this morning. #EOW #LODD @bigricanman pic.twitter.com/z0d50oNGCA
— Fort Mill Police (@FortMillPD) December 11, 2020
My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Tyler Herndon’s family and friends. We are here for support and will honor this fallen hero as a community. #police #lodd #clt #charlottenc pic.twitter.com/c6PGCQKb71
— Chief Jennings (@cmpdchief) December 11, 2020
Joshua Tyler Funk has been charged with the first degree murder of Officer Tyler Herndon @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/1ywNgGIlcM
— Genevieve Curtis (@GenevieveWSOC9) December 11, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mount Holly Police Department Officer Tyler Avery Herndon, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Officer Tyler Herndon, your life mattered.
