MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. — Candlelight vigils were held in Mount Holly and Kings Mountain Sunday evening to remember Officer Tyler Herndon, who was shot and killed responding to an armed robbery at a car wash early Friday morning.
Sunday would have been Officer Herndon's 26th birthday.
A vigil in Mount Holly began at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Municipal Complex located at 400 E. Central Ave. Then shortly after, a vigil in Kings Mountain began at 6:30 p.m. at the Kings Mountain Amphitheater, at 420 S. Railroad Ave.
Herndon's family attended both vigils, with a police escort. His father, Mark, addressed those in attendance at the Mount Holly event, thanking the community for the support.
"I love him. I'm proud of him," Mark Herndon said. "And this right here is the reason he loved this job. He loved Mount Holly. He loved the Mount Holly Police Department."
Mark Herndon said he was still in bed Friday when the Cleveland County Sheriff's Department gave him the news. He was woken up at 4:40 a.m. and told he needed to go to the hospital, his son had been shot.
Tyler Herndon died at the hospital.
His father said he can't thank his son's law enforcement family and the community enough for their support.
"The love and support that we have received from Mount Holly is overwhelming," he said.
A memorial has been growing outside the Mount Holly Police Department for days. Balloons have been placed on the memorial in honor of his birthday, blue lights have been placed on the porch, banners and thank you notes have been hung in Herndon's honor, and a banner is being filled with messages of support.
"It's hard to see a hero fall, especially one that gives so much of themself," one woman said.
Kings Mountain community members gathered later at Kings Mountain Amphitheater for Herndon's vigil in his hometown. Leading up to his family's arrival, those in attendance prayed, sang, and listened to scripture.
His high school classmates released blue balloons in his honor.
A funeral service is planned for Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Kings Mountain, according to the Gaston Gazette obituary. Those who attend are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing.
His family said he was a good man, not because he was a cop but because of his kind heart and loving character.
"Tyler I love you so much, and I miss you more than you will ever know," said Heather Campbell, a cousin of Officer Tyler Herndon.
Friday, Mount Holly Police Chief Don Roper spoke during a news conference to remember the life of one of his officers. Chief Roper described Herndon as a selfless man who just wanted to serve his community.
"I've been along for a long time and one of the things I can do is read potential in young police officers, and Tyler had that potential," Chief Roper said.
Chief Roper said everyone in law enforcement understands the risk they take every day when they put on their uniform and said Herndon was no exception.
"He was willing to accept those risks to serve this community and the people and citizen thas he loves," Chief Roper said Friday.