East Tenn

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office, among many others, are devastated and mourning the loss of a long-time Loudon County sergeant who died in a fatal crash on I-75 North.

Sgt. Chris Jenkins, a devoted brother and father, was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer after it failed to stop while he was out of his vehicle removing a ladder from the interstate Thursday morning.

Many have shared their thoughts, prayers and condolences to LCSO, Sgt. Jenkins’ family and the community as a whole.

“Our prayers are with the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office and family, as well as the Loudon community this morning,” The Roane County Sheriff’s Office shared to Facebook.

“Prayer warriors, we are asking for you to pray for the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office,” Anderson County Sheriff’s Office shared to Facebook. “Pray for God’s comfort and peace to cover the department.”

“Sheriff Tom Spangler is asking everyone to remember our blue family at the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers!” the Knox County Sheriff’s Office shared on Twitter.

“Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong and the BCSO deputies are with the deputies of Loudon County Sheriff’s Office in mourning for the loss of Loudon County Sheriff’s K-9 Sgt. Chris Jenkins,” Blount County Sheriff’s Office shared on Facebook. “We hope you’ll join us in praying for the family during this time. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13.”

“Sheriff Ron Seals, Chief Deputy Michael Hodges, and the entire Sevier County Sheriff’s Office would like to express our deepest condolences to our friends and blue family at the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office,” Sevier County Sheriff’s Office posted to Facebook. “Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this tragic time as you mourn the loss of your Deputy.”

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office and the family of one of their deputies who was killed this morning in an line of duty incident on I-75,” Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office posted to Facebook.

“We are devastated, and our hearts are broken by the tragic loss of Loudon County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Chris Jenkins,” the Knoxville Police Department told WVLT News. “We are utterly devastated by Sgt. Jenkins’ tragic death and extend our most heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office. These events deeply affect our officers, especially when it’s an officer who lived and served in a neighboring county. It’s an incredibly sad day, to say the least.”

“Prayers for the Family and our Brothers and Sisters in Blue at the Loudon County Sheriff’s Department,” Tellico Plains Police Department shared on Facebook.

“The Pigeon Forge Police Department offers condolences to the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office during this difficult time,” Pigeon Forge Police Department shared to Facebook.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with our Loudon County Sheriff’s Office family as they mourn the loss of one of their own,” Maryville Police Department shared to Facebook. “Please remember the family and friends during this difficult time.”

“The City of Alcoa Police Department would like everyone to keep this Deputy’s family and friends, as well as our brothers and sisters in Blue at Loudon County Sheriff’s Office, in your thoughts and prayers,” the Alcoa Police Department shared to Facebook.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Loudon County Sheriff’s Department and the family of their fallen deputy,”

Oak Ridge Police Department shared to Facebook.

“On behalf of the Knox County District Attorney General’s Office, we extend our thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and colleagues of Sgt. Chris Jenkins, who was killed in the line of duty,” DA Charme Allen posted to Facebook.

“Please say a prayer for the entire LCSO family in this horrible loss,” Rep. Tim Burchett posted.

Many other organizations have shared their condolences during the tragic time. A memorial with Sgt. Jenkins’ K-9 Patrol Unit has been set up in front of the Loudon County Justice Center for those wishing to pay respect or leave flowers.

Officials with the Tennessee Highway Patrol are leading the investigation.

Loudon County community remembers Sgt. Chris Jenkins after fatal crash

LOUDON COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Law enforcement and Loudon County residents alike say they’ve known Sgt. Chris Jenkins for years.

Sgt. Chris Jenkins was killed Thursday morning in a crash that shut down northbound lanes of I-75 when he was trying to move a ladder from the road.

County Mayor Buddy Bradshaw is one of many devastated by his death.

“I’ve known Sergeant Jenkins for 40 years probably,” said the mayor. “We went to school together, played football together in high school.”

“It’s a tragic day no doubt about it and Chris will be very very much so missed,” Bradshaw said.

Loudon County Sheriff Tim Guider was hardly able to speak at a press conference Thursday afternoon. “It’s something that nobody ever wants to go through,” the sheriff said through tears.

Other members of the sheriff’s office were also very emotional.

“We’re a family, this is a small agency and this is home to us so everyone here is a person, not a number,” Sergeant Matt Fagiana with the sheriff’s department said.

“Everyone loves Chris and loves his family,” said Russell Johnson the District Attorney for Loudon County “We’ve grown up with him in our jobs.”

Sergeant Jenkins not only made an impact on those in the department but in the community as well.

“Today has been heartbreaking and devastating,” she said Lauren Ferguson, who went to school with Jenkins’ son. “It was shortly after 8 a.m. this morning that my phone just started blowing up with news of what happened this morning.”

She’ll remember him as a family man and a great officer.

Ferguson added, “Prayers for the Loudon community, prayers for the police department, prayers for the Jenkins family. Our hearts and condolences are with you,” Ferguson added.

Sergeant Jenkins not only served his county but was a big part of it.

Ferguson said, “we’re all devastated. We’re all heartbroken. We lost a good person today.”

A memorial for Sergeant Jenkins has been set up in front of the Loudon County Justice Center for people to leave flowers and pay their respects.