September 22, 2025 • Greg's Groceries
Honoring Officer Greg Alia
Police Across the Carolinas Unite for 10th Anniversary Packing Event
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Sept. 17th, 2025)- On Tuesday, September 30 at 10:00 AM, police departments and sheriff’s offices from across North and South Carolina will gather in Columbia for a powerful day of service and remembrance. Together, officers will pack 2,000 Greg’s Groceries boxes in honor of Officer Greg Alia, marking the 10th anniversary of his passing.
The event—hosted by Serve & Connect in partnership with Walmart—will take place at the Forest Acres Walmart (5420 Forest Dr., Columbia, SC 29206). Members of the media, law enforcement partners, sponsors, and community stakeholders are invited to attend this impactful event. Media are asked to arrive by 9:30 AM.
Alongside the packing event, Serve & Connect will launch a new campaign commemorating Officer Alia’s legacy, highlighting a decade of community impact in his name.
Greg’s Groceries provides boxes of non-perishable food to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, offering officers a meaningful way to connect with community members outside of enforcement. Since its founding in 2017, the initiative has distributed more than 26,000 boxes through partnerships with over 80 police agencies. So far in 2025, officers have packed 3,800 Greg’s Groceries boxes, with more than 1,900 distributed so far this year.
Neighbors in need can reach out to Serve & Connect law enforcement partner agencies to receive a Greg’s Groceries box.
Award Recognition
As part of the event, Serve & Connect will also honor law enforcement leaders who exemplify its mission of building trust between police and communities. Awards will be presented in the following categories:
Agency of the Year
Officer of the Year
Serve & Connect will be honored with the U.S. Marshals Service Citizen of the Year Award.
Featured speakers include Lt. Governor Pamela Evette and Jackie Swindler, Director of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Participating law enforcement agencies will represent communities including Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Roxboro and one of our newest partners, Raleigh, and more.
About Officer Greg Alia Greg’s Groceries was founded in memory of Officer Greg Alia, who was killed in the line of duty on September 30, 2015. Officer Alia worked for Forest Acres Police Department for seven years and was considered family. Greg was married to Serve & Connect founder Kassy Alia when he was shot and killed, leaving behind his 6-month-old son, Salvatore “Sal” David Alia.
About Serve & Connect Serve & Connect is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that aims to ignite positive change through police-community partnerships. Kassy Alia Ray founded the organization in memory of her late husband, Officer Gregory Alia, who was killed in the line of duty in 2015. Backed by evidence-based practices designed to fuel collaboration, Serve & Connect provides the tools, training, and technical assistance necessary for police departments, local organizations, leaders, and residents to work together to improve community outcomes.
