Shelby officer dies; search is on for his shooter

Officer Tim Brackeen was shot shortly after midnight Saturday.

Authorities were searching Monday for 23-year-old Irving Lucien Fenner Jr., who is charged in Brackeen's death.

Brackeen, 38, joined the Shelby Police Department 12 years ago and was a K9 officer. He was the department's officer of the year in 2012.

Brackeen was married and had one child.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) issued a statement Monday about the incident, saying all North Carolinians are mourning Brackeen's death.

"Officer Brackeen courageously risked his life in order to bring a wanted suspect to justice and protect the community of Shelby. In doing so, he made the ultimate sacrifice, a sacrifice we will never come close to repaying," Tillis said. "We can never forget about the debt of gratitude we also owe to the parents, spouses, and children of our law enforcement officers, family members who are forced accept the reality of the tremendous danger that confronts their loved ones every single day they go to work."

On behalf of the state, Gov. Pat McCrory offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to Fenner's arrest and conviction. He added his condolences in a statement:

“Ann and I are offering thoughts and prayers to both the Brackeen family and to the Shelby Police Department for the loss of their colleague,” said Governor McCrory. “Unfortunately this is another tragic example of the dangers those in law enforcement face in the line of duty each time they put on the uniform. The state is offering any assistance possible to help bring the individual or individuals responsible for his death to justice.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Shelby Police Department at 704-484-6845 or Crime Stoppers at 704-481-8477.