GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – More than a thousand people from across the Carolinas honored the life of Sgt. Conley Jumper Friday morning.
Sgt. Jumper died Tuesday afternoon during a traffic stop along Interstate-85.
Several speakers during the funeral service warmly described him as a gentle giant with a big heart.
Greenville Co. Sheriff Hobart Lewis called Sgt. Jumper the “epitome of a public servant.”
“What made him unique was his cheerful attitude that could rub off on anyone around him,” Sheriff Lewis said.
U.S. Postal Inspector Mike Nicholson said Jumper went out of his way to help fellow deputies with back-up, doing the same for civilian strangers.
“Just in the last couple of days, it was relayed to me that Jumper helped someone change a tire.”
Nicholson said Jumper was instrumental in thousands of federal drug trafficking investigations throughout his 28-year-long career at the Greenville County Sheriff’s office.
“His name appears more than any other in the Upstate,” he said.
Jumper was awarded the prestigious Russ Sorrow award in 2018, given to officers who “show a high level of professionalism and commitment.”
Greenville Co. School Superintendent Dr. W. Burke Royster shared how Sgt. Jumper used his sense of humor to connect with students as he served on school safety panels.
“Jumper did so many things that are not typically the responsibility of law enforcement,” he said.
Greenville Co. Sheriff’s Office Chaplain and Deputy Bennie Durham fought back tears as he spoke during the service, calling all law enforcement officers to model themselves after Sgt. Jumper.
“He was a man we could all look to to know this job meant something. Jumper said, ‘I’m building the most important job.”
Sgt. Jumper grew up in Spartanburg and graduated from Broome High School.
He is survived by his wife, daughter, parents and sister.
As the funeral service concluded, Governor McMaster presented American flags to the family that were flown over the SC State House in Jumper’s honor.
Law enforcement agencies from across the state gathered following the funeral to escort Sgt. Conley Jumper to his final resting place. And the community lined streets and bridges to pay honor to a hero.
“I convey my compassion and condolences to his family and I can promise them that none of us will forget him,” Scott Black, who attended the funeral, said.
“To show the support on every bridge, people coming out here to show support it’s just a huge wonderful meaning to everybody,” Chris Popoff, who watched the motorcade, said.
For Susan Youngblood, supporting Sgt. Jumper and his family has added meaning.
“It’s important that they know what their daddy does and that they respect that and all law enforcement,” she said.
Her son is a Greenville County Sheriff’s Deputy, and she brought her grandchildren Caroline and Easton to show their respect for law enforcement.
“Well my daddy just came by with my momma in his cop car,” 6-year-old Easton Youngblood said.
“We love him,” 4-year-old Caroline Youngblood said.
Sgt. Jumper was then taken to the town of Pomaria for a graveside service.
“It’s a very family oriented community so it means a lot to see the people come out and support him,” Darryl Hentz, mayor of Pomaria, said.
Where family, friends, and law enforcement brothers and sisters said a final farewell.
“The thin blue line is not that wide, it’s deep though. It’s just deep. And he was our family so we will take care of them just as we would our family,” Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said.