Forest Acres Police Department, South Carolina
End of Watch: Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: 161
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 30, 2015
Weapon Used: Handgun; .40 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Police Officer Greg Alia was shot and killed when he and two other officers responded to a suspicious person call at the Richland Mall shortly before 8:00 am.
The officers located the subject inside a van in the mall's parking lot. As they spoke to him the man became uncooperative and then fled on foot into the mall. During the ensuing struggle the subject produced a stolen .40 caliber handgun and fatally shot Officer Alia.
The man was apprehended a short time later and charged with murder. He was subsequently convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison on May 9th, 2017.
Officer Alia had served with the Forest Acres Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife, 6-month-old son, and parents.