Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Jenkins was shot and killed by a drunk McMinn County deputy sheriff he encountered while investigating reports of liquor smuggling. The chief and another McMinn County deputy sheriff had gone to the Jefferson Street Bridge in an attempt to intercept the shipment.
While positioned at the bridge another deputy, who was drunk, arrived at the scene and started an argument with Chief Jenkins. The deputy suddenly produced a handgun and shot Chief Jenkins six times, killing him.
The suspect then called a physician and turned himself in.
Chief Jenkins was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Chief Jenkins was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TN-A11F9260- Stewardship
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- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Jenkins served with the Athens Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Jenkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police S. A. 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. S. A. Jenkins's cause is highlighted.
How S. A. Jenkins Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. S. A. Jenkins is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.