Fallen York County Sheriff’s Detective Remembered at Celebration of Life

CHARLOTTE, NC – Family members struggled to hold back tears as Detective Mike Doty’s casket arrived inside Calvary Church Monday.

The 90-minute celebration of life focused on Doty’s positive impact in York County and beyond.

His older brother Joshua says the fallen detective was called to serve others.

“It’s only fitting that his chosen profession found him running toward danger, when others run from it,” Joshua Doty said.

Doty, just 37-years-old, died at the hospital after being shot during the search for a domestic violence suspect last week.

He had been with the York County Sheriff’s Office since 2006 and was also a member of the SWAT team.

“Despite the fact that Mike walks around with a scowl on his face 90 percent of the time, he’s really a happy guy,” said Sheriff Kevin Tolson.

Tolson says Doty dedicated himself to helping those addicted to alcohol and drugs and was unrelenting on the opioid crisis.

Reverend Barry Yates told mourners Detective Doty became a hero through honor, duty, and service to others.

“I’m sure that he realized many times that something could happen, but that was never a factor in his decision to go,” Yates said.