'Love on them': Ohio man sketches 4 Charlotte officers who lost their lives

When four North Carolina law enforcement officers were shot and killed on Monday, Ron Moore from Ohio sat down and begin sketching their portraits.

The deaths of Samuel "Sam" Poloche, Joshua Eyer, William "Alden" Elliot and Thomas M. Weeks, Jr., in Charlotte made national news. The tragic story reached many households across the country, including Moore's.

In the last seven years, Moore has drawn over 400 sketches of victims in tragedies. The solemn tradition began in October 2017, when a gunman opened fire at a music festival in Las Vegas, killing 58 people and injuring hundreds.

"I sat in my living room after watching the news wondering what is it that I can do,” Moore said. “And the only thing I really know to do is is art.”

Moore picked up his pencils and did the same thing this week when he saw tragedy unfold in Charlotte.

According to Moore, each and every drawing he has completed has been sent to victims' families.

Usually, Moore sends the drawings to funeral homes so they can be given to family members. Occasionally, upon request, he will travel to deliver the drawings in person.

“When I see the tragedy that's happened, my heart breaks for these people,” Moore said. “My grandfather always taught me, if you give somebody a gift, you’ve got to give your best. Otherwise, what's the sense in doing it?”

Moore has received a lot of thank you cards over the years – and many hugs. He’s even been invited to a wedding.

Drawings can take hours to complete, but Moore said there is one special reason he does it.

“They’re going to look at this portrait and know that somebody from as far away as Ohio loved them enough to do that. There's no such thing as enough love. And if we all learn to love each other more, what a better world this would be," he said.

Although Moore does take commissions, he said 80% of his business is donated works of art.

Drawing is a source of joy for Moore, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2004 and struggled to continue his art. According to Moore, drawing and art helped him overcome depression -- along with the love his creations show to strangers.

Each of the four Charlotte officers killed was a husband and a dad, and together the men leave behind eight children.

When asked what he would like to tell the families, Moore responded:

“If I was to meet them in person, I would most likely give them a hug and let them know that your loved one, your husband, your son, your dad -- they are heroes. They gave the ultimate sacrifice for the betterment of the community. Your loved one is a hero, and I hope that you receive the love that I'm sending with these portraits."

"My wife and I pray daily for comfort for you folks," he added. "I can't imagine what these families are going through. The only thing I can do is love on them. That's the only thing we can do is love."