Thousands gathered at Sullivan Central High School Saturday morning to remember Sergeant Steve Hinkle. The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office sergeant was killed in the line of duty February 26 in Blountville.

People came from all across the country to participate in the 11 a.m. celebration of life service and pay their final respects to Hinkle. A procession followed the service. Many area law-enforcement agencies representing East Tennessee took part in the procession, including the Greene County, Knox County and Loudon County sheriff’s offices, among others.