Anna Stolinsky: Tennessee cops escort fallen detective’s 4-yr-old daughter on first day of her school
SMYRNA, TENNESSEE: Anna Stolinsky, a 4-year-old from Smyrna, is the daughter of Lt. Kevin Stolinsky, a 20-year veteran detective with the La Vergne Police Department. After her father died in the line of duty nine months ago, the Tennessee police force lined up for her four-year-old daughter's first day of school.
According to local news outlets, he died in November 2021 after suffering a "medical emergency" while on patrol.
RELATED ARTICLES
Savanna Puckett: Tennessee cop found shot dead inside burning home, suspect in custody
Video shows cop firing STUN gun on Black delivery driver who filmed his traffic stop
Officers escorted Anna and her mother to Lancaster Christian Academy in Smyrna on motorcycles on August 8 to pay tribute to her father and to show their support to their former colleague's family. As Anna approached the school's main entrance, she was met by two lines of officers from various local law enforcement agencies.
The little girl even went to talk to some of the deputies and gave them all a high five for their efforts in getting her to class safely.
Lt. Stolinsky, 44, had been with the La Verge Police Department since 2001 and had been promoted to sergeant. City officials and colleagues described him as a model member of the local community.
According to DailyMail, La Vergne Mayor Jason Cole told the Daily News Journal, "He was one of the best of us. He was always fighting to make things better for others. It wasn't for him. He was always fighting for others and trying to improve any situation, whether at work or in life." He further added, "Kevin was known and loved in this community. Everyone knew him. He was at every event. He was at the parades. He was at every city event. He wasn't just a police officer."
Stolinsky was a Seabee in the Navy before being deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2009. According to the Murfreesboro Post, he was later assigned to Africa before retiring in 2016.
Stolinsky is survived by his wife, Casey, daughter Anna, his father, and brother. Although no further information is available regarding the officer's cause of death, the FBI reports that murders of police officers have increased by nearly 60% in 2021, owing in part to an increase in violent crime in major US cities since the pandemic's end.
In an interview with 60 Minutes, the agency's director, Christopher Wray, stated that 73 officers were killed in action last year. He went on to say that violence against police departments is a "phenomenon" that "doesn't get enough attention," as homicides of all degrees and levels rise across the United States.
