A North Carolina police officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty early on Friday after an encounter with an armed suspect has been identified by authorities.
The shootout happened at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Friday while officers responded to a breaking and entering call at the Mount Holly Car Wash on Beatty Drive.
Police said a total of four officers responded to the alleged burglary, three MHPD officers and another officer from the Gaston County Police Department.
Police said Herndon was the only officer that got shot and injured during the exchange of gunfire. The officer was rushed to CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia with life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at about 10:30 a.m. that same morning.
The suspect was injured as well and sustained minor injuries, according to the police statement. He was treated before being released again that same morning at the same Gastonia medical center.
Funk has been charged with first-degree murder and is being held at the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office where he will remain in custody.
In addition to Herndon and Funk, one more person was injured following the exchange of gunfire. Details around this victim are unclear.
The three officers who accompanied Herndon have been placed on administrative leave as the Internal Affairs Bureau with the Mount Holly Police Department will conduct a separate but parallel investigation, police said, adding that this is a standing procedure following an officer-involved shooting.
Herndon joined the MHPD police force less than two years ago, police said. He would have had his 27th birthday this coming Sunday.
"My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Tyler Herndon’s family and friends," the police chief said. "We are here for support and will honor this fallen hero as a community."
"Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers. I’m doing well, continuing to recover and was even able to hold a virtual town hall with our employees this afternoon," he wrote on Twitter earlier this week. "A huge thank you to our executive staff who are continuing to maintain seamless operations while I’m away."
Jennings said besides being a bit fatigued he is feeling fine and continues "to conduct department meetings from home."