Kelly Roudebush, 50, died from brest cancer on 2/10/22 at home. She was a former K9 handler and first female Michigan State University Police Chief. She took medical leave in July 2020 due to the cancer diagnosis. She was with the department since 1994. Roudebush served as a field training officer, canine handler, patrol shift commander, training and special events security coordinator, and a threat assessment team commander. Roudebush graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from MSU and a Master of Public Administration degree from Western Michigan University. She leaves behind her husband Jerry Roudebush and her son Brendan Beck.
Sergeant Chris Jenkins
February 3, 2022 – Loudon, Tennessee – Age 48
Sergeant Chris Jenkins of the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office died in the line of duty on the morning of 2/3/22 after being hit by a tractor-trailer as he was removing a ladder from the interstate. Sgt. Jenkins responded to the area of mile marker 74 on I-75 North at approximately 8 a.m. to remove a ladder that had fallen out of a utility van and was blocking traffic on the interstate. The sergeant set up a rolling roadblock in an attempt to slow traffic and exited his patrol vehicle to remove the ladder. While he was out in the roadway, a tractor-trailer failed to reduce speed and crashed into two motorists’ vehicles, Sgt. Jenkins’ patrol unit, and Sgt. Jenkins. Additional law enforcement officers responded to the scene shortly after 8 a.m. after receiving 911 calls about the crash. When they arrived, they discovered Sgt. Jenkins had been killed. The driver of the semi-truck has been cooperating with investigators and willingly submitted to a blood test. Police are now searching for the vehicle that dropped the ladder. Witnesses described it as a white utility van. He said at least one witness noticed the vehicle had an unsecured ladder in the back, saying they watched as it slipped off the tailgate and came out the back. Drivers had to swerve to avoid the ladder. The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is leading the ongoing investigation into the fatal crash. Anyone with information about the crash, or how the ladder fell onto the interstate, is asked to contact the DA’s office at (865) 376-2145. Sgt. Jenkins joined the LCSO as a corrections deputy in 2002. He was promoted to patrol the following year and graduated from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy in 2004. He began working as a K9 officer in 2007, was promoted to the rank of patrol corporal in 2018, and was selected for a promotion to the rank of patrol sergeant last year, according to the LCSO. Sgt. Jenkins leaves behind his wife, his high school-aged daughter, and his son, who is also a fellow LCSO deputy. Sergeant Jenkins was a military veteran and had served with the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office for 20 years. Chris is proceeded in death by his K9 partner Diego. Chris is survived by his daughter, Chloee and a son Clay Jenkins.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, Christopher Savannah, 43, from Houston Texas, was under the influence at the time, investigators said. Tennessee Highway Patrol said they found Savannah still in the driver seat after the crash. Savannah was cooperative and did consent to Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. Savannah denied drinking, taking any illegal substances or medication at the time, stating that he had only taken vitamins. THP said they noticed the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle and found marijuana along with other drug paraphernalia. Based on a DRE evaluation, Savannah is believed to have been under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash. The Tennessee Highway Patrol said the driver faces charges of vehicular homicide by intoxication, vehicular homicide by recklessness, reckless endangerment, DUI, having a gun while under the influence, and some other drug charges. They also said an inspection of the tractor-trailer is being conducted. Savannah was formally charged and arrested on the evening of 2/3/22. He is being held at the Roane County Detention Facility. The LCSO said they used the handcuffs of Sgt. Jenkins to take him into custody. The judge ruled a $1 million bond for Savannah, who decided not to testify in his first court appearance. On 3/8/22 after a five hour hearing the judge, Roane County General Sessions Court Judge Terry Stevens found probable cause.
