MARCH 2022. Blues Vol 38 No. 3

REMEMBERING THOSE WE’VE LOST
Lost in the Line of Duty
Police Officer John Painter
Bridgewater College Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Age 55 Tour N/A Badge # N/A
Police Officer John Painter and civilian Campus Safety Officer J.J. Jefferson
were shot and killed while responding to a call involving a suspicious person
carrying a duffel bag a restricted area of Memorial Hall. Officer Painter and CSO
Jefferson contacted the subject. After a short interaction, the man opened fire
on them, fatally wounding both. The man fled on foot into the town of Bridgewater.
He was taken into custody after wading onto an island in the North River.
The man was a former Bridgewater College student. He was charged with two
counts of capital murder and additional felonies related to the incident.
Officer Painter had formerly served as the police chief of the Grottoes Police
Department.
Correctional Officer III Helen Mae Smith
North Carolina Department of Public Safety
End of Watch Thursday, February 3, 2022
Age 53 Tour 3 Years 2 Months Badge # N/A
Correctional Officer III Helen Smith suffered a fatal heart attack while responding
to a disturbance at the Pasquotank Correctional Institution in Elizabeth City.
Shortly after the disturbance was resolved Officer Smith suffered a medical
event. She was transported to a local hospital where she passed away.
Officer Smith had served with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety
for three years. She is survived by her husband and two children.
Officer Daniel will be receiving a “Lifesaving Award” on Saturday, December 18,
2021.
Sergeant Chris Jenkins
Loudon County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee
End of Watch Thursday, February 3, 2022
Age 53 Tour 20 Years Badge # 904 Veteran
Sergeant Chris Jenkins was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer while attempting
to move a ladder from I-75 near mile marker 74. The ladder had fallen off
the back of a utility truck and had created a traffic hazard on the interstate.
Sergeant Jenkins had brought traffic to a stop with a rolling roadblock and then
exited his vehicle to remove the ladder. An oncoming tractor-trailer was unable
to stop and struck Sergeant Jenkins, his cruiser, and several other vehicles.
Sergeant Jenkins was a military veteran and had served with the Loudon County
Sheriff’s Office for 20 years. He is survived by his two children. His son also
serves as a deputy with the agency.
Captain Collin Birnie
Flint Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch Friday, February 4, 2022
Age 53 Tour 26 Years Badge # N/A Veteran
Captain Collin Birnie was killed in a vehicle crash on Elms Road, between Mount
Morris Road and Francis Road. An oncoming vehicle was attempting to pass
other cars when it lost control and struck Captain Birnie’s department vehicle
head-on.
Captain Birnie was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of Operation Desert Storm. He
had served with the Flint Police Department for 26 years. He is survived by his
wife and two daughters.
50 The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 51