CMPD hosts 13th annual memorial tree lighting ceremony

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police hosted their 13th annual memorial tree lighting ceremony Wednesday night. The event brings together families who’ve lost a loved one to homicide or a car wreck. Families decorated the tree with ornaments with the names of their loved ones.

Atresia Staten lost her husband in September to a drunk driver. She says, “I hate that I have to meet these people under these circumstances who all lost our loved ones. However, I love the support that CMPD and the district attorneys office is giving to the community.”

Police Chief Johnny Jennings praised the department’s victim services unit for their work in helping families. The ornaments with victims’ names on them will be displayed at CMPD headquarters.