ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. — Officers and deputies are revving up their motorcycles to compete in a community rodeo starting Friday in honor of a deputy who was hit by a car and killed back in 2022.
The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office and Falcon's Fury Harley-Davidson are hosting the event in remembrance of Deputy Walter Jenkins. Deputy Billy Burrell, who helped create the sheriff’s office motor unit with Jenkins, considered him a dear friend and family for 15 years.
"When you saw him, it was undeniable. That big smile. You could see him from across the parking lot and you knew that was him. His personality was huge. Everybody loved him. He was the kind of person that he never met a stranger," said Burrell. "He didn't even have to know you. But as soon as you started talking to him and as soon as that smile came out, it was like you were best friends forever."
The "Hustle Up" police motorcycle skills rodeo contest will last three days, starting on Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. and ending on Nov. 12.
"'Hustle' is Walter's club name. So in honoring him and paying homage to him, we decided to name it after him," said Jamie Kitchen, with Falcon's Fury Harley-Davidson.
Kitchen said people can look forward to these events:
- Last man standing
- Obstacle courses
- Tribute to veterans - and first responders
- State trooper fly over
- Battle of the badges donut eating contest
- Kids' strider course
- Touch a truck & kids' zone
The event is free to the public and at Falcons Fury Harley-Davidson located at 900 Dogwood Dr. in Conyers.
"He was such an important part of all of our lives, and he gave so much back to the law enforcement profession. He was taken from us too early. He still had so much to offer, not only to Rockdale County, but law enforcement across the state," said Burrell. "He was so good at what he did, and he loved being a cop. He loved teaching others to be cops, too. And I think it's important for us to keep his memory alive."
More about Deputy Walter Jenkins
In May 2022, 54-year-old Walter Jenkins, a Rockdale Sherriff's Office deputy, was stuck by a car off Hwy 138 at the intersection of Hwy. 212 around 9:30 that night. According to a GSP spokesperson, Jenkins was wearing a reflective vest while directing traffic when a 16-year-old driver entered the intersection and struck him.
Jenkins, who was unresponsive by the time deputies got to the scene, was taken to Grady Hospital in Atlanta where he later died.
Jenkins spent nearly half his life in law enforcement. Before joining the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, he was a College Park Police officer for nearly 22 years. He joined the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office in January 2021 as a member of its motor unit and had recently transitioned to a reserve role.
Jenkins had three children.
The Sheriff's Office set up a memorial for Jenkins surrounding his motorcycle after the crash.