Sean Clark and Jeff Shelton were responding to what should have been a routine disturbance call for service at the Timber Ridge Apartments near Milton Road in east Charlotte the night of Saturday, March 31, 2007.

They were both shot in the head around 11:15 p.m. while struggling with a suspect in the apartment complex parking lot. They died at Carolinas Medical Center in the early morning hours of April 1, 2007, but not before officers picked up Demeatrius Montgomery, who later was charged with their murders. Montgomery is currently awaiting trial.

The community responded to the deaths of Officers Clark and Shelton with an outpouring of grief, offers of support and aid and thousands of dollars in donations for the slain officers' families. Thousands of officers, including those from more than 38 different departments, joined the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in mourning the loss of these young officers. Thousands of citizens lined the funeral procession with signs, American flags and tears of grief to pay their final respects to Officers Clark and Shelton. It was an unforgettable show of support.

Officer Clark, 34, was hired January 23, 2006 and graduated in the 148th Recruit Class. He was a 1991 graduate of West Mecklenburg High School and had served in the United States Air Force before joining CMPD. He was married to Sherry Jones Clark. At the time of Sean's death, they had a 3 1/2 year old son, Brayden, and they were awaiting the birth of their second son.