Hero Without a Cape
By Katie Mittelstadt
Staff Sergeant (SSgt.) Jesse Childress at one of his and his fellow reservists’ weekly flag football games in Aurora, Colorado. Courtesy of Find a Grave.
Memorial for Jesse Childress. Courtesy of Find a Grave.17
Jesse Evan Childress
January 6, 1983 - July 20, 2012
“He was a fun-loving individual,” “a hero with a big heart,” “he always thought of others over himself…he was very special,” “he was just a light.”[1] These remembrances are but a small testimony of the feelings individuals had for the beloved, selfless, and righteous United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Jesse Evan Childress. Jesse, the eldest of Shannon and Lisa Childress’s three boys, was born on January 6, 1983, in Ventura County, California (CA).[2] Jesse had an extremely active childhood as a star player for the Littlerock High School soccer team. Jesse’s soccer coach fondly remembers him as “just a good person.”[3] In addition to soccer, Jesse and his neighborhood friends spent countless summer days playing football together in their front yards. The passion and love for sports and recreational activities that Jesse displayed during his childhood stayed with him throughout his life. He was a season ticket holder for the Denver Broncos and spent the rest of his year rooting for the Los Angeles (LA) Kings and LA Clippers.[4]
After enjoying a lively childhood and graduating from Littlerock High School in California in 1997, Jesse attended DeVry University located in Westminster, Colorado.[5] Jesse quickly fell in love with the state of Colorado and enlisted in the armed forces in 2002. He began his service with the US Army and trained as a Satellite Systems Operator, grasping a deep understanding of the installation, maintenance, and operation of satellite communication systems used by the military.[6] Serving during the Gulf War era, Jesse eventually transitioned from his role as a Sergeant in the Army to serve in the Air Force Reserve in 2010, training as a Cyber Systems Operation Technician.[7] During his time with the Air Force Reserve, he was stationed at the Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, Colorado, where he was on active duty orders in the 310th Force Support Squadron. In this position, Jesse used his prior expertise from his service with the Army to provide technical solutions and guidance to the 310th Space Wing.[8] Jesse was recognized as a hard worker and was promoted to Staff Sergeant in April of 2008. He was also known for his fun-loving attitude and benevolence, befriending all who came to know him.[9] His former fellow airman, Sergeant Alejandro Sanchez, recalls Jesse’s commitment to his work and the endless support he provided others, stating “If you need help, no matter the time of day he would stay late. He would come in early to help out the unit in any way he can, even if it meant long hours.”[10] Even those who had the briefest of encounters with Jesse felt a lasting impact from his kindness and selfless service. Captain Sean Maday of the U.S. Air Force Reserve is forever grateful to Jesse, whom he met at Buckley Air Force Base in July 2012. Jesse quickly offered to help Sean, who was trying to pass his military fitness test. Sean recollected how nothing went to plan during the test, and he failed. Devastated, Sean felt as if he had completely wasted Childress’s time and energy. However, being ever-so “Jesse,” Jesse continued to provide his never-ending positivity and supportive attitude. While he initially failed his physical test, Sean is forever grateful to Jesse for facilitating the second opportunity he was provided to pass the test, allowing him to revive his military career. Sean is very appreciative of Jesse, who taught him the significance of commitment, hard work, and, most importantly, having a positive attitude.[11]
Jesse served an integral role in developing his base’s camaraderie and community. Jesse, remaining a dedicated athlete throughout his adulthood, spent his evenings playing softball, flag football, and bowling with his fellow airmen. He and 30 other servicemen and women from Buckley Air Force Base trained for and completed a Tough Mudder race together in 2012.[12] While he thoroughly enjoyed sports, Jesse was known to be quite a “big nerd,” even naming his black car “The Batmobile.”[13] His dear friend, Kevin Thao, remembers Jesse’s passion for comics and superhero movies, which stood true, like his unwavering selflessness, until his very last moments.[14] It was July 20, 2012. Jesse and his colleagues from the Buckley Air Force Base were attending the highly anticipated “The Dark Knight Rises” showing at Century 16 theater in Aurora, Colorado. As Jesse’s fellow reservist and friend Munirih Gravelly put it, the theater’s energy was positive, with fans thrilled to view the long-awaited installment of the Batman movie franchise. However, the evening out took a devastating, shocking, and violent turn after a psychopathic individual opened fire in the theater, injuring 70 individuals and murdering 12, one of them being Jesse. Displaying selflessness and without a second thought, Jesse threw his body across Munirih Gravelly. Jesse was shot and killed at the scene. Jesse’s courageousness shone through as Munirih, with whom Jesse shared his love of superheroes and anime with, survived.[15]
Jesse is lovingly remembered to this day by friends, family, and the entire Aurora community. Shannon and Lisa Childress, both of whom remain in California, cherish Jesse’s positivity and selflessness remembering how “he (Jesse) always thought of others over himself…he was very special,” that he was “...a hero with a big heart,” and how he was “a light.”[16]
Following his death,Jesse was honored, along with other victims of the shooting, with the installation of a memorial garden in Aurora. He was officially interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery on July 28, 2012.[18] The complete and utter selflessness that Jesse displayed before and during his military service are poignant, yet important, reminders of the positive, even life-changing impact that we can have on those who surround us.
Footnotes ↓
[1] Steven Covelman, “Jesse Childress Died Trying to Protect Friend at ‘Dark Knight’ Massacre,” NBC Los Angeles (NBC Southern California, July 22, 2012), https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/palmdale-resident-jesse-childress-aurora-dark-knight/1929306/; “People Stop by Reflection Garden Memorial to Remember Aurora Theater Victims,” Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH), July 19, 2020, https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/people-stop-by-reflection-garden-memorial-to-remember-aurora-theater-victims; Ryan Parker, “Father of Aurora Shooting Victim Jesse Childress: ‘I’m Sad as Hell,’” The Denver Post, January 16, 2013, https://www.denverpost.com/2013/01/16/father-of-aurora-shooting-victim-jesse-childress-im-sad-as-hell/.
[2] “Jesse Evan Childress (1983-2012) - Find a Grave...,” Findagrave.com, 2019, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/110421991/jesse-evan-childress.
[3] Steven Covelman, “Jesse Childress Died Trying to Protect Friend at ‘Dark Knight’ Massacre.”
[4] Jordan Steffen and Lindsay H Jones, “Aurora Theater Shooting: Air Force Colleagues Mourn Loss of Jesse Childress,” The Denver Post, July 21, 2012, https://www.denverpost.com/2012/07/21/air-force-colleagues-mourn-loss-of-jesse-childress/.
[5] Horan and McConaty, “Jesse Evan Childress Obituary 2012 - Horan & McConaty Funeral Service and Cremation,” Horan & McConaty Funeral Service and Cremation, July 20, 2012, https://www.horancares.com/obituaries/jesse-childress.
[6] “25S - Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer,” Army.mil, 2024, https://cybercoe.army.mil/Cyber-Center-of-Excellence/Schools/Signal-School/Signal-Courses/Enlisted-Courses/25S-Satellite-Communication-Systems-Operator-Maintainer/.; Horan and McConaty, “Jesse Evan Childress Obituary 2012 - Horan & McConaty Funeral Service and Cremation.”
[7] Horan and McConaty, “Jesse Evan Childress Obituary 2012 - Horan & McConaty Funeral Service and Cremation.”; “Gulf War Veterans - Veterans,” www.benefits.va.gov, n.d., https://www.benefits.va.gov/persona/veteran-gulfwar.asp.; “JESSE E CHILDRESS’ Memorial,” Va.gov, 2021, https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/JESSEECHILDRESS/B0F140C.
[8] Steven Covelman, “Jesse Childress Died Trying to Protect Friend at ‘Dark Knight’ Massacre.”.
[9] Horan and McConaty, “Jesse Evan Childress Obituary 2012 - Horan & McConaty Funeral Service and Cremation.”
[10] Steven Covelman, “Jesse Childress Died Trying to Protect Friend at ‘Dark Knight’ Massacre.”
[11] Sean Maday, “Airman Killed in Colorado Theater Shooting Modeled Service before Self,” Air Force Times, April 23, 2020, https://www.airforcetimes.com/opinion/2015/05/31/commentary-airman-killed-in-colorado-theater-shooting-modeled-service-before-self/.
[12] Jordan Steffen and Lindsay H Jones, “Aurora Theater Shooting: Air Force Colleagues Mourn Loss of Jesse Childress.”
[13] “Colorado Shooting Claims Lives of Sailor, Airman,” DVIDS, 2025, https://www.dvidshub.net/news/510266/colorado-shooting-claims-lives-sailor-airman.
[14] Jordan Steffen and Lindsay H Jones, “Aurora Theater Shooting: Air Force Colleagues Mourn Loss of Jesse Childress.”
[15] Steven Covelman, “Jesse Childress Died Trying to Protect Friend at ‘Dark Knight’ Massacre.”; Tracey Samuelson, “Shooting Survivors Describe Their Long-Term Recovery,” Marketplace.org, 2018, https://www.marketplace.org/story/2018/02/19/mass-shooting-survivors-describe-their-long-term-recovery.
[16] Jordan Steffen and Lindsay H Jones, “Aurora Theater Shooting: Air Force Colleagues Mourn Loss of Jesse Childress.”; People Stop by Reflection Garden Memorial to Remember Aurora Theater Victims,” Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH), July 19, 2020, https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/people-stop-by-reflection-garden-memorial-to-remember-aurora-theater-victims.
[17] “Jesse Evan Childress (1983-2012) - Find a Grave...,” Findagrave.com, 2019, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/110421991/jesse-evan-childress.
[18] “JESSE E CHILDRESS’ Memorial,” Va.gov, 2021, https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/JESSEECHILDRESS/B0F140C.
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