On July 27, 2008, Gregory McKendry, 60, was serving as an usher at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville when a gunman entered the sanctuary during a children’s musical and opened fire. McKendry stepped in front of the shooter in an effort to shield others and was the first person fatally shot. Another congregant, Linda Kraeger, was also killed and several people were wounded.

The attacker was subdued by church members as he tried to reload. A four-page letter found in his vehicle expressed a hatred for liberals and tied his motive to frustration over joblessness. In February 2009 the shooter, Jim D. Adkisson, pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and six counts of attempted murder and was sentenced to life without parole. McKendry’s foster son and fellow church members remember him for his kindness and service to the community.

If anyone attended the service or knew Greg McKendry and can share memories or information about that day, please speak up.