January 11, 2007

Standing Between Us and Chaos

Donna Locke emailed a moving piece about the funeral procession for murdered Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper Calvin Jenks. Please click the "read more" link to read it.

January 10, 2007: Tennessee State Trooper Calvin Wayne Jenks, murdered in the line of duty Saturday in Tipton County, was buried today. He was 24 years old.

His funeral was held this afternoon at Graymere Church of Christ in Columbia, not far from my house. My mother and I drove to a street intersection near the church as the funeral procession to the cemetery began.

The procession lasted about an hour, I guess. I wasn't really aware of the time passing, despite the winter chill. Long lines of cars were stopped in the streets as law enforcement officers blocked traffic and then stood at attention outside their vehicles. I thought about events, usually sad ones, that unite us humans briefly and unexpectedly.

I got out of my car and stood at silent attention as the procession passed. Many other people did the same. Several people walked from the nearby hospital parking lot and stood motionless at the street, the erect bearing of some of the old and young men testament to their former military service.

My elderly mother, who can barely stand, got out of my car and stood determinedly beside me. Several of our relatives are law enforcement officers.

We hadn't gone to the funeral or the visitation at the church. Not knowing Jenks or his family, I hesitated to intrude. But we wanted to do something to show our respect and appreciation for Trooper Jenks and the law enforcement officers attending.

Hundreds of law enforcement vehicles from all over the state and other states preceded the hearse surrounded by a motorcycle escort. It was the longest motorcade I've seen in person. The on-duty law enforcement officers standing in the streets saluted the young trooper as the hearse passed slowly by. I couldn't help but shed some tears.

According to a story by John Henson in today's Columbia Daily Herald, "a Lawrenceburg THP dispatcher" would "make Trooper Jenks' 'Last Call for Service' from a patrol car at the grave site, calling out Jenks' car number 4462." "THP helicopters" would "fly over the cemetery during the burial ceremony with one leaving the formation to signify the 'Missing Man.'"

The ceremony would conclude with the dispatcher's radio call: "10-7. End of shift."

I prayed for Calvin Wayne Jenks with the Light prayer of my spiritual leanings. My mama and I didn't talk much the rest of the day.

It was a somber afternoon in south Columbia. Calvin Wayne Jenks has come home. Bless this young man who stood between us and chaos. And may heaven help us all.