‘I wasn’t prepared for how much this hurts’ | Loudon Co. hosts service for fallen Sgt.

LOUDON CO., Tenn. (WVLT) - Hundreds of supporters, friends and family of Loudon County Sgt. Chris Jenkins gathered in Loudon Co. Wednesday for a memorial service in honor of the fallen sergeant.

Sgt. Jenkins was killed when a tractor-trailer driver failed to slow for a rolling barricade on I-75. Sgt. Jenkins was out of his vehicle at the time removing a ladder from the interstate when the driver, reportedly under the influence of marijuana, struck two other vehicles and Jenkins himself. Jenkins had been with the LCSO for 20 years.

The service was held at Loudon High School and included musical tributes and notable speakers, including Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Loudon County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Clay Jenkins, Sgt. Jenkins’ son.

Lee spoke on Sgt. Jenkins’ sacrifice, thanking other members of law enforcement for the job they do.

“May his nearness be a sweet thread in the bitter fabric of the day you walk in today,” Lee said.

LCSO Sgt. Chris Hutchens spoke at the service on Jenkins, saying “he was the very best of us, and it wasn’t even close.” Sgt. Hutchens gave an emotional speech detailing his time spent with Sgt. Jenkins, including a few pranks they had played on each other while working at the LCSO.

“There was no job too small, no task too menial,” Sgt. Hutchens said. “He treated and cared for me like a big brother I didn’t have.”

Paul Curtis, Sgt. Jenkins’ supervisor gave a speech on how Sgt. Jenkins managed to score first place in his first K9 drug search, completing his certification better than anyone else at the time.

“During his first days as a K9 handler, Chris never waivered or slipped,” Curtis said. “I started that course thinking I was going to teach old Chris a few things, but it turned out to go the other way around.”

Loudon Co. Sheriff Tim Guider thanked the crowd for making the trip to support Jenkins’ family, friends and force.

“We have been amazed by the enormous amount of assistance we have received,” he said. “From Sullivan County to Shelby County.”

Clay Jenkins, Sgt. Jenkins’ own son, also a deputy at the Loudon Co. Sheriff’s Office, spoke at the service. In an emotional speech, the younger Jenkins thanked those present for the thousands of messages, friend requests and condolences he had received.

“I wasn’t prepared for how much this hurts,” Deputy Jenkins said. “This is the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my life.” He went on to say that his father was his hero, comparing him to Superman and asking those in attendance to hug their loved ones.

“I’ve lost my best friend, I’ve lost my future best man at my wedding,” Deputy Jenkins said. “Until we meet again my old man, I love you.”

The community also held a procession after the memorial service. Hundreds of law enforcement vehicles took part in the procession, which was capped off with a horse-drawn carriage that took Sgt. Jenkins’ body to his gravesite. The horses were provided by the North Carolina State Troopers Association and North Carolina Highway Patrol Caisson Unit.

The public was invited to show support by lining HWY 11 in downtown Loudon to watch the procession.

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