Rookie Tennessee Police Officer Killed in Hit-and-Run

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee -- A Chattanooga police officer was killed in a hit-and-run late Saturday night.

Officer Nicholas Galinger, 38, was inspecting a manhole cover that had water flowing from it in the 2900 block of Hamill Road just after 11 p.m. when a vehicle traveling north struck him and fled the scene.

Galinger was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries where he later died.

The suspected vehicle is a 2017/2018 Honda CRV with heavy front-end damage.

Anyone who has seen the vehicle or has information relating to this incident is asked to call 911 or 423-698-2525 or submit a tip in the Chattanooga PD mobile app. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Galinger, who was originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, graduated from the police academy in January.

"The Chattanooga Police Department and this community lost not just an officer," Chief David Roddy said in a statement Sunday. "We lost a son, a father, a friend and a protector."

The police department is working with Galinger's family on arrangements, according to a news release.

Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond on Sunday extended his condolences to the police department and Galinger's family.

"Law enforcement is a dangerous career and those who heed the call to serve do so willingly and selflessly," he said in a statement. "Despite the dangers of the profession, each day men and women across our Nation choose to don the uniform of their local law enforcement agencies to serve and protect. They leave their homes not knowing if they will return. ...

"In the case of last night's tragic incident, our community, our Nation, lost another brave public servant."

This is a developing story. Check back here for more updates.

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