North Carolina police officer shot, killed during traffic stop

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — A community is mourning a fallen hero after a North Carolina police officer was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop Saturday night.

Officials said

, 32, was shot and killed after pulling over 28-year-old Michael Aldana shortly after 10 p.m.

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According to police, the officer was transported to a hospital after the shooting, but later died from his injuries.

Sheldon served with the Mooresville Police Department for six years. He was well-known and his death will be deeply felt in the community.

“He would be the first one to come out and be a good cop. He would show his support. He would come and hang out and just talk with us and have a good time. He used to come here stop, get gas fuel, drinks. He'd let his dog out; we’d talk for hours. It’s just not fair,” said friend Brian Vanderwestern.

Last November, Sheldon responded to a call about a suspicious van at a fire station and police said he shot at a man who drove the U-Haul van toward him. Sheldon was placed on leave, which is standard in an officer-involved shooting, and he returned to his job after the investigation was closed.

“He did his job. He served his country, just our county alone. He did wonders here. He’s just a good guy. It’s terrible; you don’t expect this,” Vanderwestern said.

Investigators said shortly after shooting Sheldon, the suspect went to an apartment complex about two miles away on Rinehardt Road, where officers later found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

It's been 45 years since the town of Moorseville lost an officer in such a tragic way.

In April 1974, Lt. Larry Barger was killed while trying to settle an argument between a married couple on Highway 115. Police said the husband sneaked up behind Barger and shot him. Despite several major operations, the 36-year-old officer died three months later.

It's still unclear what led to Saturday's deadly shooting.

Cox Media Group