A Mount Holly man accused of shooting and killing a police officer last week will remain in jail without bond.
Joshua Funk, 24, made his first public appearance Friday morning since the shooting death of Mount Holly Police Officer Tyler Herndon last week. Investigators believe Funk shot and wounded Herndon with a handgun during an early morning shooting on Dec. 11. Herndon died at the hospital later that morning.
A Gaston County grand jury indicted Funk on first-degree murder Monday morning.
Mount Holly Police Chief Don Roper, Deputy Chief Brian Reagan and seven other Mount Holly Police officers walked into the courthouse together and sat quietly in the courtroom pews ahead of Funk’s arraignment Friday morning.
More than 200 people gathered outside the Mount Holly Municipal Complex Sunday night to honor the life of Mount Holly Police Officer Tyler Herndon.
The Kings Mountain native died in the line of duty early Friday morning during a suspected breaking and entering.
With candles in hand, Herndon’s family, friends and other vigil attendees prayed, cried and mourned together under the stars. The vigil fell on Herndon’s 26th birthday.
“Just look around,” said Mount Holly Mayor Bryan Hough, looking into the enormous crowd. “This our community. This is who we are.”
While Mount Holly suffered a tremendous and tragic loss, Mount Holly Police Chief Don Roper challenged attendees to celebrate Herndon’s life and to continue saying his name.