Springdale police officers once again proved how strong their brotherhood and sisterhood is as they boarded a bus outside the police department Friday morning. "You can just feel it around the PD every single day. There is a greater sense of unity," said Springdale police Chief Thomas Wells.Their destination Friday was the Hamilton County Courthouse.Although the sun shined down as they stepped off the bus and walked inside, their mood was dark.They filled a courtroom seeking justice for two of their own -- Officer Kaia Grant and Sgt. Andy Davis."There are other agencies covering for us so that we could all be here together for this," Wells said. "That's that bond in public safety, that we take care of each other, and that's what they're doing for us today."Terry Blankenship, 43, the man who killed Grant by intentionally swerving his truck into her last year pleaded guilty to aggravated murder. Blankenship also injured Davis. Now retired, Davis sat among his peers as Grant's mother, Gina Mobley, found the courage to speak about her daughter."She grew to become a kind, loving, smart, honorable, gracious human being. She loved her family. She loved her dog Athen, and she loved the life of a public servant," Mobley said. "The defendant's malicious, evil actions ended my daughter's life. He stole her future and her dreams." Blankenship was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years."This is as close, in my opinion, to getting the death penalty as possible. Thirty years is a long time given Mr. Blankenship's age, and in all likelihood, it probably will be a death sentence," Wells said. After the hearing, Grant's family released the following statement:"No parent should ever have to outlive their child. Kaia's father will never walk his daughter down the aisle. Kaia's mother will never experience having a baby shower for her daughter. The fabric of the family's soul has been shredded by the senseless act by someone who can only be described as evil. We ask for prayers to help the family through the grieving process and to let go of anger of having our beautiful daughter, sister, niece, and granddaughter taken away from us far too soon."Well educated and bilingual, Kaia Grant could have been anything she wanted to be. She chose a life of service to people. She exemplified best in what every police chief wants in an officer. Professionalism, disciplined, well spoken, and empathetic. The family is honored and humbled by the many stories of Kaia's service and the tremendous impact she had on the Springdale Police Department and the greater community at the age of thirty-three (33)."The family received such a tremendous outpouring of support from friends, law enforcement and the community we can not name all of them. However, we do want to recognize and acknowledge the following:Seth Hagaman, Senior Special Agent of the Ohio Attorney General's OfficeKim Schneidt, Advocate for the Hamilton County Victims/Witness ProgramDavid Yost, State Attorney GeneralJoseph T. Deters, Prosecuting Attorney for Hamilton County andChief Thomas Wells and the Springdale Police Department"Kaia was totally committed to being a police officer. Kaia was also totally committed to keeping her professional life and her private life separate. To that end, the family asks that you respect their need for privacy as we continue to mourn the loss of Kaia Grant."
Springdale police officers once again proved how strong their brotherhood and sisterhood is as they boarded a bus outside the police department Friday morning.
"You can just feel it around the PD every single day. There is a greater sense of unity," said Springdale police Chief Thomas Wells.
Their destination Friday was the Hamilton County Courthouse.
Although the sun shined down as they stepped off the bus and walked inside, their mood was dark.
They filled a courtroom seeking justice for two of their own -- Officer Kaia Grant and Sgt. Andy Davis.
"There are other agencies covering for us so that we could all be here together for this," Wells said. "That's that bond in public safety, that we take care of each other, and that's what they're doing for us today."
Terry Blankenship, 43, the man who killed Grant by intentionally swerving his truck into her last year pleaded guilty to aggravated murder. Blankenship also injured Davis.
Now retired, Davis sat among his peers as Grant's mother, Gina Mobley, found the courage to speak about her daughter.
"She grew to become a kind, loving, smart, honorable, gracious human being. She loved her family. She loved her dog Athen, and she loved the life of a public servant," Mobley said. "The defendant's malicious, evil actions ended my daughter's life. He stole her future and her dreams."
Blankenship was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
"This is as close, in my opinion, to getting the death penalty as possible. Thirty years is a long time given Mr. Blankenship's age, and in all likelihood, it probably will be a death sentence," Wells said.
After the hearing, Grant's family released the following statement:
"No parent should ever have to outlive their child. Kaia's father will never walk his daughter down the aisle. Kaia's mother will never experience having a baby shower for her daughter. The fabric of the family's soul has been shredded by the senseless act by someone who can only be described as evil. We ask for prayers to help the family through the grieving process and to let go of anger of having our beautiful daughter, sister, niece, and granddaughter taken away from us far too soon.
"Well educated and bilingual, Kaia Grant could have been anything she wanted to be. She chose a life of service to people. She exemplified best in what every police chief wants in an officer. Professionalism, disciplined, well spoken, and empathetic. The family is honored and humbled by the many stories of Kaia's service and the tremendous impact she had on the Springdale Police Department and the greater community at the age of thirty-three (33).
"The family received such a tremendous outpouring of support from friends, law enforcement and the community we can not name all of them. However, we do want to recognize and acknowledge the following:
Seth Hagaman, Senior Special Agent of the Ohio Attorney General's Office
Kim Schneidt, Advocate for the Hamilton County Victims/Witness Program
David Yost, State Attorney General
Joseph T. Deters, Prosecuting Attorney for Hamilton County and
Chief Thomas Wells and the Springdale Police Department
"Kaia was totally committed to being a police officer. Kaia was also totally committed to keeping her professional life and her private life separate. To that end, the family asks that you respect their need for privacy as we continue to mourn the loss of Kaia Grant."
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