Incident
Sergeant Chris Jenkins was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer while attempting to move a ladder from I-75 near mile marker 74.
The ladder had fallen off the back of a utility truck and had created a traffic hazard on the interstate. Sergeant Jenkins had brought traffic to a stop with a rolling roadblock and then exited his vehicle to remove the ladder. An oncoming tractor-trailer was unable to stop and struck Sergeant Jenkins, his cruiser, and several other vehicles.
The vehicle that dropped the ladder never stopped. The driver of the truck that struck him was charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication, vehicular homicide by recklessness, two counts of reckless endangerment, DUI, simple possession of narcotics, possession of a handgun under the influence, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sergeant Jenkins was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Loudon County Sheriff's Office for 20 years. He is survived by his son, daughter, mom, fiancee, fiancee's two daughters, sister, brother-in-law, and two nephews. His son also serves as a deputy with the agency.
Survivors
He is survived by his son, daughter, mom, fiancee, fiancee's two daughters, sister, brother-in-law, and two nephews.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-4C03E38F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Jenkins gave the Loudon County Sheriff's Office 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lenoir City community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Chris Jenkins served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sergeant Chris Jenkins is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Loudon County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Chris Jenkins's cause is highlighted.
How Chris Jenkins Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with vehicular homicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Chris Jenkins is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Chris Jenkins was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Loudon County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.



