HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The rain that fell outside the Hendersonville on Thursday only added to the sadness that surrounds the police department here, which lost one of their beloved officers on Monday.
Officer Spencer Bristol had been chasing two men wanted for selling drugs, after they crashed their car on I-65, Officer Bristol got out and began pursuing one of the men on foot when he was hit and killed by a passing car.
The last three days have a been a blur of heartache and grief for his department. "There's just a hole, we are all broken-hearted. It's such a great loss to this department," Chief Mickey Miller said during an interview on Thursday.
Chief Miller hired Officer Bristol in September of 2015, the then 27-year-old had just left the Navy as a medic and was looking to return to his hometown of Hendersonville.
"When we hired him, it was one of the happiest days of his life, he just wanted this job more than anything," the Chief added.
Bristol had been promoted to Master Patrol Officer on December 11, the Chief says Officer Bristol was a leader in the department who cared deeply about the community and his family. "He was the kind of person that every officer should aspire to be," Miller said.
Funeral arrangements for Officer Bristol were also announced on Wednesday. A visitation will be held on Monday, January 6 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville.
Officer Bristol's funeral will be held on Tuesday, January 7 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, a two hour visitation will take place before the funeral. Law enforcement officials wishing to attend are asked to bring a small bottle of toy soap blowing bubbles. The bubbles will be used to honor and comfort Officer Bristol's young daughter.
