Charlotte shooting highlights dangers of serving warrants: Nash County sheriff reflects on officer safety

Serving warrants can be incredibly dangerous.

Eight law enforcement officers were shot Monday while trying to serve an arrest warrant in an east Charlotte neighborhood, including four who died.

On June 9, 2011, Nash County deputy Warren Basco “Sneak” Lewis was shot three times in the chest while serving an arrest warrant at a home on West Lenoir Avenue in Kinston. Lewis died in the shooting.

“These men and women go to work every day and never know if they will touch the doorknob to come back home,” said Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone.

Stone said what happened Monday in Charlotte is similar to what happened to Lewis.

“You can plan all you want but anything can happen, you [have to] remember these violators are more violent today than ever before,” Stone said.

Last year, WRAL News went along with undercover drug agents with the Nash County Sheriff’s Office as deputies served these types of warrants on drug offenders.

Stone said, most times, his deputies have to serve the warrant in 48 hours, so planning must be quick but also incredibly precise. He said safety is the top priority.

“Who is the person you are searching for?” Stone said. “What [are] the premises?

“What are the dangers? What are we looking for? And what [are] safety precautions for others living in the community?”