Loudon County community remember

LOUDON COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Sunday was the third annual memorial ride for Sergeant Chris Jenkins who died on duty in February of 2022. Jenkins was hit and killed by a tractor-trailer while attempting to move a ladder from I-75 on duty.

When 6 News spoke with Jenkins’ daughter today, she described him in one word: selfless. Dozens of people came out on their motorcycles and in their vehicles to honor Jenkins on Sunday.

“This is how I remember him and try to help the community remember him, because he was such a good man. I am grateful, completely grateful and humbled by the turnout,” said Anne Caulfield the Event Coordinator.

This year’s memorial ride began at the Goodwill on Loudon Highway and wrapped up at the Harley Davidson in Maryville.

“As an individual… he was a very, very kind person. He was a family man. He loved his family, his canines. He loved his job at the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office,” Caulfield added.

The ride was donation based, with proceeds going to support the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit. Clay Jenkins, the son of sergeant Jenkins, serves as a K-9 handler with the Department. He’s now partnered with his father’s former canine named Déjà vu.

“The funds actually come from the handler. The department helps with some, but most of the expenses come from the handler. It helps with the purchase of possibly a new canine to replace one that’s been retired. It helps with the vet care, the training, the equipment that they need to do their job,” explained Caulfield.

Mike Satterfield with United we Ride, said their group showed up to pay tribute to Jenkins, and to remind his loved ones that his legacy lives on.

“It’s a great cause. Come out support any of these types of rides, not just this particular one, but any memorial ride that we have in the area. It really feels good giving back to the community and helping, like I said, helping those who help us,” said Satterfield.

Caulfield shares that she plans to hold this ride to remember Jenkins for as long as the family would like.