A Heroic Stand: The Courage of Engine 15

By Kevin Campbell 

On April 29, 2024, Charlotte faced one of its darkest days—a day that would forever be etched in the memories of its citizens and first responders. The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, while serving a warrant, was ambushed by a lone gunman, resulting in the tragic loss of four dedicated law enforcement officers: CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer, NC Dept. of Adult Correction Officers William "Alden" Elliott and Sam Poloche, and U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks Jr. The shock and horror of the incident reverberated throughout the city, but in the midst of chaos, bravery shone brightly. 

At 1:36 p.m., Engine 15 of the Charlotte Fire Department was dispatched on what appeared to be a routine call—a MEDIC Routine for an unknown medical emergency. However, within moments, the situation escalated dramatically. The call was upgraded to a gunshot wound incident, and the dispatch grimly noted that two officers were down.  

The members of Engine 15—Captain Nathan Jones, Engineer Justin Barringer, Firefighter William "Billy" Costello, and Firefighter Jonathan Moore—were suddenly thrust into a situation that no firefighter could ever fully prepare for: a scene of active gunfire. 

Without a second thought, these brave individuals made the decision to proceed. Adorned in their PPE and under the protection of CMPD officers, they moved into the heart of the danger. The air was thick with tension, the sound of gunfire echoing all around them. Yet, their focus remained unwavering: to save lives. 

Reflecting on the moment they received the call, Captain Nathan Jones recalled, “Initially, the call went out as a medic routine unknown medical. But then I saw the notes: two officers down. That’s when we knew this was different. We had to get there fast.” As they made their way to the scene, they quickly realized that the usual route was blocked, forcing them to take a detour. “It was frustrating,” Engineer Justin Barringer noted. “The quickest way to the call was shut down for a water main repair. It felt like every second mattered, and we were losing time.” 

Captain Nathan Jones, leader of Engine 15, guided his crew through active gunfire to rescue injured officers during the April 29th ambush, later earning the Medal of Valor for his courageous leadership. 

As they approached the scene, the gravity of the situation became clear. “The radio traffic was chaotic,” Jones continued. “We were hearing that officers were still being shot at. We discussed a plan—a rolling roadblock, using the truck as a shield. But when we arrived, there were too many police vehicles blocking the way. We couldn’t get close enough.” 

Forced to abandon their initial plan, the crew quickly adapted. They grabbed their vests, helmets, trauma packs, and medical bags and headed toward Battalion Chief Mike Clumpner, who had arrived just moments before them. “Chief Clumpner was calm but firm,” said Jones. “He told us, ‘I’m getting you all a team together, and you’re going in after them.’ We didn’t hesitate. We just said, ‘Okay, let’s go.’” 

As they moved closer to the scene, the gunfire resumed. “It felt like all hell broke loose again,” said Costello. “We knew we were heading into something that wasn’t just dangerous—it was lethal.” Despite the danger, they pressed on, moving through the front yards of nearby houses, using them as shields. They reached the house next door to the shooter’s location, where they saw two officers dragging Officer Sam Poloche across the yard. 

Firefighter Costello vividly recalled the moment as an officer yelled for a medic: “We ran over, took him from the officers, and tried to treat him in a blacked-out police cruiser. But then one of the officers realized there were no keys. We had to quickly move him to another vehicle, all while gunfire was still going off around us.” 

Barringer described the harrowing scene: “We were trying to figure out how to move him when we started hearing the bullets whizzing past us. It sounded like they were coming from behind, but it was just the sound of the bullets breaking the sound barrier as they passed by us. It was terrifying, but we didn’t have time to think about that. We just had to get him out of there.” 

Engineer Justin Barringer, a key member of Charlotte Fire Department’s Engine 15, played a critical role during the April 29th ambush, risking his life to help save fallen officers under active gunfire.  

With no time to lose, the crew carried Officer Poloche to another cruiser and loaded him inside. “We had no time for treatment,” said Moore. “We were just trying to get him out of the hot zone.” They watched as the cruiser sped off towards the incident command post, hoping that Poloche would make it to the hospital in time. 

But their work was far from over. After regrouping, they were tasked with moving toward the BearCat, a heavily armored vehicle used by CMPD to evacuate Officer William "Alden" Elliott, the second officer down. “This time, Johnny and I jumped into the back of the ambulance after unloading the officer from the BearCat,” Costello said. “We stripped off our tactical gear and immediately started performing CPR on Officer Elliott. We applied a tourniquet and did everything we could to keep him alive until we reached the hospital.” 

The adrenaline was high as they arrived at the hospital, where the scene was chaotic. “The hospital was in lockdown mode,” Moore explained. “There were officers everywhere, clearing intersections, blocking roads. It felt like a war zone.” 

After ensuring that Officer Elliott was in the hands of the hospital staff, the crew was transported back to the scene. “We didn’t know what we were going back to,” Costello admitted. “But we knew we weren’t done yet.” 

As they waited for further instructions, the weight of what they had just experienced began to settle in. “It felt like we’d been out there for hours,” Jones said, “but in reality, it was only about eight minutes. Eight minutes of chaos, of life and death.” 

The events of that day had a profound impact on each member of Engine 15. “I remember looking through the window of that blacked-out cruiser, thinking, ‘This isn’t good,’” Moore said. “We were so close to the shooter’s house. The shots were coming from right there.” 

Firefighter Jonathan Moore, one of Engine 15’s bravest, recounts the day when his crew ran towards gunfire to save fellow officers, demonstrating the selfless bravery that defines Charlotte’s firefighters. 

For Costello, the impact was deeply personal. “My son gave me the biggest hug when I got home. He’s a big kid, taller than me, and he just wouldn’t let go. He asked me why I work in such a rough area. All I could tell him was that some of the best people work in the roughest areas, and that day, I needed to be there.” 

Jones echoed the sentiment of pride in their work, despite the dangers they faced. “You always wonder what you would do in a situation like that. Now we know. We went into something we never thought we’d go into, and we survived. We made it out. If that doesn’t give you some sense of pride, I don’t know what would.” 

The crew’s bond was evident in every word they spoke. “We’re more than just a crew,” said Barringer. “We’re a family. Our wives, our kids—they all know each other. They lean on each other, just like we do. That day was a testament to how close we are, how much we trust each other.” 

For Costello, the trust extended beyond just his fellow firefighters. “We trust our captain, we trust Chief Clumpner, and we trust each other. That day, we didn’t hesitate because we knew what needed to be done. We weren’t looking for pats on the back; we just wanted to do our job.” 

Despite the accolades they’ve received, the members of Engine 15 remain humble about their actions. “Hero? I struggle with that term,” Costello said. “We were just good firefighters that day. We did what we would hope someone would do for us if the roles were reversed.” 

Firefighter William "Billy" Costello recounts the intense moments during the ambush, where he applied life-saving measures on a wounded officer while under fire, embodying the courage and dedication of Charlotte’s finest. 

In recognition of their extraordinary bravery, each member of Engine 15—Captain Nathan Jones, Engineer Justin Barringer, Firefighter William Costello, and Firefighter Jonathan Moore—was awarded the Medal of Valor, the Charlotte Fire Department’s highest award for bravery. The Medal of Valor is reserved for those who display conspicuous gallantry and bravery in the face of imminent and extraordinary risk, disregarding their own personal safety in the performance of their duty. Their selfless acts on that fateful day, moving into the line of fire to save the lives of their brothers in blue, embodied the very essence of heroism. 

The Firehouse 15 crew stands outside the home of Engine 15 “The Shamrock Express” 

Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson praised the crew’s actions, stating, “The bravery and quick thinking displayed by the members of Engine 15 were extraordinary. They ran toward gunfire, knowing the risks, yet determined to save lives. That kind of courage is not something you can teach—it’s something that comes from a deep commitment to service and brotherhood.” 

Chief Johnson also reflected on the broader response that day: “The outstanding work done by all the firefighters who answered the call on that tragic day is a testament to the character and professionalism of the Charlotte Fire Department. It was a day no one could have fully prepared for, but our men and women rose to the challenge with determination and courage.” 

As the community mourns the loss of the four officers, they also celebrate the courage and selflessness of those who risked everything to save lives. The actions of Engine 15 on that fateful day serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by first responders every day. 

In the end, the story of Engine 15 is not just one of heroism but of dedication, trust, and an unbreakable bond between those who put their lives on the line to protect others. As the crew of Engine 15 reflects on that day, their thoughts are with the families of the fallen officers, and their resolve to continue serving their community is stronger than ever. 

Their story will be told for generations—a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable danger, heroes rise. Engine 15 did not simply respond to a call that day; they ran towards the gunfire, embodying the very essence of what it means to be a public servant. Their courage under fire is a beacon of hope and a symbol of the unwavering spirit that defines Charlotte’s bravest. 

As the days turned into weeks after the incident, the crew of Engine 15 found themselves inundated with after-action reports, counseling sessions, and visits from various officials. While all these were necessary steps in the aftermath of such a traumatic event, the crew yearned for something simpler. “What we really wanted,” Jones shared, “was just a normal day—to be away from all the debriefings and formalities. We wanted time to talk amongst ourselves, to process everything in our own way, and just to ride the big red truck like we always do. That’s when we feel most like ourselves, doing the job we love.”