Memphis Trooper Shot/Killed

[Gatorman]

COVINGTON, Tenn. (AP) - Authorities are looking for two suspects this morning in the fatal shooting of a state trooper in West Tennessee.

Twenty-four-year-old Calvin Jenks was found fatally shot late last night in Tipton County north of Memphis.

Hunters found Jenks' body lying beside his patrol car and notified authorities.

A spokesman from the state Department of Safety says footage from the patrol car's video camera shows the trooper pulling over two men in a compact car.

He was trying to get them out of the car when he was shot twice, at least once in the head.

The trooper's name was not being released pending notification of family.

Authorities believe the two suspects were carrying drugs and headed toward Nashville after the shooting.

Jenks graduated from trooper school in April 2004 and was assigned to Marshall County in Middle Tennessee. But he transferred to the Tipton area in 2005 to be closer to his fiancee, who is in medical school in Memphis.

 

[Gatorman]

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- State officials said Sunday they had arrested two people they believed were responsible for the killing of a state trooper who was shot during a traffic stop in western Tennessee.

The 24-year-old trooper pulled over two men and was trying to get them out of the vehicle Saturday night when he was shot twice, according to footage from the patrol car's video camera. At least one bullet struck him in the head, said Mike Browning, a Department of Safety spokesman.

On Sunday, two men were "arrested without incident" at a hotel near downtown Nashville, said Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Jennifer Johnson.

TBI director Mark Gwyn said "after interviewing the two men we feel confident we have the two people in custody that murdered the state trooper."

Hunters found Trooper Calvin Jenks' body beside his patrol car near the intersection of state highways 14 and 54, Browning said.

Authorities believed the suspects were carrying drugs and drove toward Nashville after the shooting in Tipton County, which is just north of Memphis, Browning said before Sunday's arrests.

Browning said Jenks smelled marijuana on the driver. He said that when Jenks asked the man if he had drugs in the car, the suspect eventually admitted there were "drugs in the center console" of the car.

Browning said Jenks then went back to the passenger and asked him if he had drugs. The man said he didn't, then opened fire, Browning said.

Investigators found what they believe is Jenks' flashlight in a garbage can at a Wal-Mart in Brownsville, 13 miles east of the scene of the shooting. Browning said one of the suspects bought a sweatshirt at the Wal-Mart and authorities were trying to get video footage from inside the store.

Jenks, 24, had been a trooper for two years and transferred to the Tipton area from Marshall County in 2005 to be closer to his fiancee, he said.

 

[Gatorman]

THP spokesman said yesterday that troopers are not required to call in vehicle stops. In this case, the trooper did not. He was found dead by hunters.

This defies logic. TN troopers, working alone, not required to call in traffic stops??????

 

[JoeyC]

THP spokesman said yesterday that troopers are not required to call in vehicle stops. In this case, the trooper did not. He was found dead by hunters.

This defies logic. TN troopers, working alone, not required to call in traffic stops??????

It is unfortunate that it will take deaths to change stupid policies.

 

[benjaminfs733]

I believe it is the same for Kentucky State Police.


My prayers are with is family and friends during this tragic time.

 

[dsbyrd]

Note the last paragraph about "last call for service."

=========
(From the Memphis Commercial Appeal)

Rites today

The funeral for Trooper Calvin Jenks will be today at 2 p.m. at Graymere Church of Christ in Columbia, Tenn., with burial following in Pleasant Mount Cemetery.

Jenks will receive full honors by the Tennessee Highway Patrol:

Before the service begins, two troopers will stand by the casket, draped with an American flag.

Col. Mike Walker, THP commander, will present the folded flag to Sarah Jenks, the wife of Calvin Jenks.

"Taps" will be played, followed by a 21-gun salute. Walker will present Sarah Jenks and the family with 21 brass casings.

THP helicopters will fly over, with one helicopter peeling off in the "missing man" formation.

The service will end with a retiring of Jenks' badge and a last call for service. A THP dispatcher from Lawrenceburg will call out his number: 4462.

 

[Tech-Anthony]

I once read a statement a very long time ago granted I am only 28 but it has stuck with me. I only remember the most important of this statement so if I mess it up or not give the full quote please forgive me

Always remember this officer gave his tomorrow for your today

Dont remember where I read this at but it has stuck with me and those words I will never forget. Trooper Jenks family is in my prayers they have my deep condolences for their loss, also the THP is also in my prayers as well.

 

[Tech-Anthony]

THP spokesman said yesterday that troopers are not required to call in vehicle stops. In this case, the trooper did not. He was found dead by hunters.

This defies logic. TN troopers, working alone, not required to call in traffic stops??????

As with most state law enforcement agencies they all work alone in any state unless they are a training officer training a new recruit. In this case calling in the tag more than likely would of not made a difference since in most cases in rural counties backup can be 20 minutes or more out. This is just one of those tragic cases where the bad guy knows what he is going to do and the officer never stood a chance.

 

[SCANFANATICA]

What To Do Next?

Ok,now That We Have This Waste Of Life On Tape Killing A Thp,what Are We Going To Do!! Is Our System Going To Do The Right Thing,or Are We Going To Have To Pay For This S.o.b. For Another 20 Years To Live!!! I Know This Is Not A Political Discussion Forum,but Me ,it Just Pisses Me Off To No End!! God Bless Jenks, And His Family And Friends...

 

[dsbyrd]

The service will end with a retiring of Jenks' badge and a last call for service. A THP dispatcher from Lawrenceburg will call out his number: 4462.

From today's Commercial Appeal:

Later, as the sun was setting at Pleasant Mount Cemetery on an interment with full THP ceremonies, a Lawrenceburg THP dispatcher's voice came across a patrol car's loudspeaker as the ceremonial "last call for service" for Jenks:

"THP Dispatch to Unit 4462..... THP Dispatch to Unit 4462.... Badge No. 784. Two years, eight months, 13 days. 10-7. End of Shift."

 

[tnpro95]

hello everybody,just wanted to write in and say that officer jenks is my bosses nephew.he was telling me about the funeral and said it was unbeleivable the number of people there to say goodbye.there was over 600 troopers there(2 from each state and many from tn) and on the way to the cemetery every emt,paramedic,firefigther,along with stores and other businesses lined the street all the way there.i dont know why people gotta be so stupid to fight with cops.i have alot of friends that are cops and most of them are really nice people,not the bad guys that the news portrays them as sometimes by showing only the bad ones on tv.And not only did jenks family lose him but a 17 year old kid will be in prison for the rest of his life if he dont get the death penalty all for some pot.