LOUDON COUNTY, Tenn. — Nearly 300 people routed through Lenoir City Saturday afternoon.
Anne Caulfield, an active member of the motorcycle community arranged a ride in honor of Loudon County's Sergeant Chris Jenkins, who died in the line of duty in February.
Sgt. Jenkins died trying to protect other drivers. The 20-year veteran Loudon County officer was trying to pull a ladder that fell off a vehicle onto I-75 when s a trucker — driving high after smoking marijuana — hit and killed him along I-75.
Jenkins had been a K-9 officer since 2007. He had a special bond with his K-9 partner, Deja.
"He loved his canines, he had a previous canine before Deja, too. His name was Diego," Caulfield said. "He loved his canine so much, that the best way I could come up with to honor him was to have a benefit ride in honor of the canine unit."
The memorial ride went from the Food City in Loudon to the Shed Smokehouse & Juke Joint in Maryville.
289 people biked in the event, and dozens of others followed the trail of motorcycles in their cars.
Caulfield said she didn't anticipate so many people to show up. However, she was beyond grateful they did.
"I was just not expecting this big of a turnout. And I am so grateful that everybody has shown up and shown their support," she said.
People came from across East Tennessee to show their support for Sgt. Jenkins and the canine unit.
Christopher Lione biked from Roane County. He is the president of the Vets for Vets riding club, much of the club was in attendance. He said it's part of their mission to honor fallen heroes.
"We're all about supporting veterans, law enforcement, emergency services, anything to do with our people that come out and help people. Instead of running away, they're running towards it. So we try to do everything we can to support them in the families in their times of need," Lione said.
Teresa Hart biked over from Blount County. She said she felt compelled to come because she and her husband have many family and friends in law enforcement.
"It's always important to support our law enforcement. But this is a was a tragic situation," Hart said. "It was so sad, but yet it's a blessing to be able to do this for him and the canine unit."
The bikers took off around 2:30 in the afternoon. In total, the ride raised $7K for the LCSO K-9 unit.
"That money will go toward so much," Caulfield said. "Bulletproof Vests aren't free. Neither is vet care, food, or just daily training, things like that."