Police Officer Gregory Thomas Alia, Forest Acres Police Department, South Carolina

Police Officer Gregory Thomas Alia

Forest Acres Police Department, South Carolina

End of Watch Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Gregory Thomas Alia

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.

Bio

Age 32
Tour 7 years
Badge 161

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .40 caliber
Offender Sentenced to life

suspicious person

Most Recent Reflection

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I received a letter today requesting a department patch for a memorial for Officer Alia. I researched the internet for information on Officer Alia and to learn what had happened. I read about a fellow officer that had his life taken, while in his prime, with a young wife and newborn son. A wife who must now carry on without her husband and a son who must grow up without a father. The pictures I saw were of an Officer that was not only proud of his profession, but also a happy and proud husband and father.

It is impossible to know what his wife and son have gone through and how they will endure the loss of their husband and father. But I am sure the men and women of the Forest Acres Police Department will be there for the Alia family, supporting them in any way possible. And I know that they shall meet Gregory again in Heaven;

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Rev 21:4, KJV

Officer Joseph Steyer
Stamford Police Department (Connecticut)

April 5, 2017