Charlotte Police Department, North Carolina
End of Watch Thursday, July 1, 1982
Add to My HeroesErnest Coleman
Patrol Officer Ernest Coleman was shot and killed while working a uniformed off-duty security detail at a local convenience store at 1401 Oaklawn Avenue in Charlotte at 7:30 pm. He was shot by a man he had ejected from the store earlier in the evening for being rowdy.
He was transported to the Charlotte Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds five hours later.
The 24-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on March 2, 1983.
Officer Coleman had served with the Charlotte Police Department for 18 months. He was survived by his three children.
Bio
- Age 31
- Tour 1 year, 6 months
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Wednesday, June 30, 1982
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 28 ReflectionsRIP Officer Ernest Coleman.
Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"
August 18, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Marylin Mayo
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: September 21, 2023

Police Officer Darrin McMichael
Arlington Police Department, TX
EOW: September 21, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Ryan Clinkunbroomer
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: September 16, 2023

Governmental Affairs Liaison Michael Elaine Griffin
Mississippi Department of Public Safety, MS
EOW: September 4, 2023

Police Officer Kevin Cram
Algona Police Department, IA
EOW: September 13, 2023

Deputy Sheriff II Auston Smith Reudelhuber
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: September 9, 2023

Detective Robert Garten
Hartford Police Department, CT
EOW: September 6, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Matthew Pierson
Shelby County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: August 29, 2023

Sheriff Robert Daniel Rodgers
Wilcox County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: August 29, 2023