Kings Mountain mourns unexpected death of 'kind-hearted' police chief

KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C. — Kings Mountain Police Chief Jerry Tessneer died suddenly Monday years after receiving an organ donation from a fellow officer.

The cause of his death is not known.

He was 60 years old.

Tesseneer recently got back to work after knee surgery, and officers said he was feeling well.

Officers said Tessneer was more than just a leader of this department.

"He is not only my chief, he is my friend, and he is my brother," Assistant Police Chief Lisa Proctor said.

Proctor worked closely with Tessneer for years.

"He had the biggest heart of anybody that I had ever been around in my entire life," Tessneer said.

In 2011, Tessneer needed a kidney to live.

Officer Penny Fulton was a match and gave him one of her kidneys.

She was too upset to speak publicly Tuesday.

"That just brought the department even closer, and that was just an example that overwhelmed myself, as the city manager," Marilyn Sellers said.

She said everyone in the department loved Tessneer. Now, the community mourns his death.

His funeral will be Thursday.

Cleveland and Gaston County sheriff's officers and the Shelby Police Department volunteered to work 911 calls and patrols so that all of the city officers can attend the memorial service.

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