Local law enforcement officers around the region offer support to Big Stone Gap - WCYB
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn--Local law enforcement officers around the region are mourning the loss of a brother in blue after officer Michael Chandler was killed in the line of duty last weekend.
The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office has lost multiple officers in the past few years. Sgt. Steve Hinkle was shot and killed in 2019, and other officers have died due to COVID-19 related complications.
Chief Deputy Tracey Kittrell said when he heard that officer Chandler was killed, it was like losing a family member.
“In my career, there have been six that we've lost," he said. "It doesn’t matter how many times you go through it, it's brand new. It hurts the same. It's like it's happening to you all over again and it's personal.”
The SCSO sent their honor guard to the funeral to pay their respects and offer support to the family, police department, and community.
“When it comes down to taking care of each other and rallying around each other and being supportive, it's very very strong," said Kittrell about the law enforcement brotherhood. "But we're children of the citizens in the community, so when you have that bond, along with community support it goes a long way.”
According to the officer down memorial website, there have been 421 line of duty deaths in the United States this year. COVID-19 accounted for 277 deaths, gunfire accounted for 55 deaths, and 19 deaths were related to vehicle crashes.
Chief Kittrell said being a police officer is a calling, not a career, and the loss is felt across the nation.
“Whenever everyone else is running away from the danger, our troops are running towards the danger," said Kittrell. "That’s why we take the oath. It's either in you when you're born or made in you."
source: https://wcyb.com/news/local/local-law-enforcement-officers-around-the-region-offer-support-to-big-stone-gap
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