Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It was 10 years ago today that I last physically saw you, hugged you, kissed you good-bye. They always say those first few years are rough but I am finding each year getting worse & worse when it comes to the holidays. Last year was okay but this has been an extremely emotional year for us all.

JJ, we love you & miss you more & more, not less and less. Barbara Haulsee joined you this week, and that was another rough thing, especially as much as she was always there for us when we were younger. I love you!! Keep by my side and give me the strength to get through this. Sometimes I think Gavin is the only thing that keeps me somewhat sane!! :o)

Merry Christmas in Heaven... Give Greg a big hug for me too.

Love you, Mainey

Romaine Cheney
Sister of Jessica "Jay-Jay" Cheney

December 25, 2007

Jessica,

I didn't know you, but my husband and his coworkers did. The worked for Stafford County Sheriff's Department. They all thought fondly of you.

I remember Police Week of 1999. My husband traced your name. What a hard time your family must have had listening to your name being called.

Well, now a member of the Stafford Sheriff's Dept has come to join you. He (Deputy Jason Mooney) was a young man and was only on for a year and a half. This incident made me remember you.

I know it has been almost ten years since your passing, but I would like to offer your family my heartfelt condolences.

Sincerely,
Susan

Susan Shelton
wife of former Stafford Deputy

October 20, 2007

I just wanted to say that we were just talking about Jay two nights ago. My family met up with some old friends out in Florida for a mini-vacation and my dad was regaling us with the usual stories. Inevitably Rich Cheney's name comes up as he played a pivotal role in many of my dad's favorite memories. That always prompts us all to chime in with our own memories of the Cheney family. I was so young when I knew Jay and I haven't seen her family in years, but that doesn't matter. I still think about her. I join my voice with everyone else's in saying we miss her.

Kelly Morgan
Childhood friend

October 16, 2007

To Trooper Cheney and her friends and family,

I am a former EMT-CT who served as a volunteer EMS provider in Stafford County for almost 15 years. How well I remember that fateful call almost ten years ago. The moments that myself and my colleagues spent with you in the ambulance before the helicopter carried you away will weigh heavy on my heart forever. I remember how we all sat together during the incident debriefing and wept when we learned that, despite our efforts, God had called you home.

The loss is immeasurable.

Your memory lives on in the minds and hearts of those you left behind, and in the reflections that they leave here.

May the Lord bless and keep you, and may he guide your comrades, friends, and family who are left to carry on without you.

Daryl W Williams MD
Stony Brook University Hospital

August 6, 2007

Jess-

I've thought about you often over the years. I never could work up the guts to go back to your grave one last time before I left VA. Your memory has been brought back strongly with the passing of my former Command Sgt at Ashland, and I think about my former life as a LEO compared to the life I have now.

Since you have left us, I have been blessed with a loving husband and an amazing son. I reflect upon this sometimes and am saddened that you were taken away from us before you could experience being a mother yourself...you would have been a great mom!!

It is a strange sensation to feel so sad, yet so blessed at the same time. I remember, though, during times like this, that you must follow the path laid before you in life. You paid the ultimate cost, but you were doing what was in your heart and soul. You will be a shining example for my son when the time comes for me to encourage him to follow his heart and dreams, no matter where that might lead or what the outcome.

I will always remember you and am thankful that I have you up there to watch over me. I am honored to have known you in this life. Until we see each other again, my friend.

Love,
Celeste

Celeste O'Reilly
Former APD and friend

July 17, 2007

Jessica,

Uncle Jack has come home to be with you, Pop-Pop & Grandma Mellinger and Uncle Russell. Give him love from us. We will miss you all til it is our time to come Home.

Love,

Romaine

Romaine Cheney
Sister, VA Tpr. Jessica J. Cheney

July 9, 2007

Jessica,

Today, we gave Matthew Ezell the 10th annual Tpr. Jessica J. Cheney Spirit Award at the graduation ceremony of the Junior Law Cadet Program. He told me he was honored and for the firt time, the recipient gave me a hug when we presented the plaque. I hope to see him return and come out on the road. His father is a Master Trooper in Fifth Div and was so proud of his son.

Just wanted to let you know that we miss you as always and will someday meeet again. I miss your hugs and kisses.

Love you, Mom

Sue A. Cheney
Mother

June 22, 2007

Hey Jess,

Feeling some old emotions today that are hitting too close to home. The Clerk of the General District Court where I work lost one of his son's yesterday from a training mission for the Army out in Texas. I know they are going through what mom, dad & I went through. Like us, he left behind his parents & a brother that he was close to also. Look out for him up there!! We'll do our part down here.

Love you,
Mainey

Romaine Cheney
Sister, VA Tpr. Jessica J. Cheney

June 13, 2007

Thanks to you and Francis a miracle has occured in my life and in my families' lives. I wish it didn't have to be this way, but I understand God works in misterious ways and that we must accept them. I just wanted to thank you for that. You were a caring and wonderful person and even though you are now in heaven we can all still feel it. Please take care of Francis for me.

Joann
Friend

May 3, 2007

Hey Girl,

Missing you big time right about now. One of the attorneys I work with lost his sister in an accident last week and it just brought back a bunch of feelings. Made me really wish I could talk to you!!

Guess what? I'm actually going to bring Gavin with me to DC this year to see your name on the wall. I think he's ready now to see what Police Week is all about.

Just know a day doesn't go by that I don't think about you, miss you or wish I could bring you back somehow. I love you!!!

Romaine

Romaine Cheney
Sister, VA Tpr. Jessica J. Cheney

March 23, 2007

Hi Trooper Cheney:

Although I never knew you, I am moved by the reflections of people who did know you. I am very sad that your bright life was cut so short, but it is evident that yuo lived your brief time here to the fullest, serving others. These words attest to your character and are reflective of your dedication and of how much you meant to people, friends, colleagues and citizens of the Commonwealth. I was born in Va, 3rd generation cop and I am proud of your service. I wish I had known you. Please keeep watch on us down here and know that you are missed and you will never be forgotten. God speed sister, we have the watch from here.

NC Officer, Virginia-born

Chief JA Millan
NC Public Schools, Avery Dist. LEO

February 1, 2007

Another year has passed Jess. Not knowing what to feel. Just knowing I wish you were. I sit here training at the academy today seeing your face guiding me. I give my best to those coming along hoping it's good enough. I ask for your hand in giving me the strengh to give them the best I have.

Missing you dearly.

Rob
Friend

January 25, 2007

TODAY WE REMEMBER THE "ULTIMATE SACRIFICE THAT TROOPER CHENEY GAVE.
I KNOW THAT PROBABLY TO YOUR FAMILY IT SEEMS LIKE JUST YESTERDAY THAT YOU WERE TAKEN FROM THEM.
WE WILL NEVER FORGET THE LAST TIME WE TALKED WITH OUR LOVED ONES, THE LAST TIME WE SAW THEM, THE LAST HOLIDAY WE SPENT WITH THEM, THE LAST TIME............
TO THE FAMILY OF JESSICA, SHE IS NOT FORGOTTEN.
GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY HE CONTINUE TO GIVE YOU THE COMFORT THAT ONLY HE CAN GIVE.

LORRAINE BOND (MOTHER)
HAMILTON COUNTY, TN DEPUTY SHERIFF:
DONALD K. BOND, JR.
EOW: 09.06.01

January 17, 2007

Jess

Reading your reflections has put a lump in my throat. So many heartfelt and sincere comments about a wonderfull person.

Trooper Jessica Jean Cheney, Rest in Peace.
Gone but never EVER forgotten.

SC Brad Taylor
Metropolitan Police (London)

January 17, 2007

NEVER forgotten, always honored.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEOs

January 17, 2007

Dear Jessica,

It has been nine years since God decided that he wanted you to transfer to his duty post. I know you are doing an excellent job, but it is so hard for us who were left behind. I can not tell you how much I miss you and the day off we would spend together each month. I have a hard time at Virginia Beach and still have not gotten back to the Smithsonian. I am not up to that yet, but soon I will go back.

We have met so many new people through COPS and other organizations since you left us. We can cope a little better but I would rather have you here. Dad is living a day at a time. He is heartbroken since you left just like Romaine and me.

We have a new Great Dane. Her name is Petunia. She is 14 months old now and has Dad wrapped around her paw. Just like you, Romaine and Gavin.

Just wanted to let you know that we still have a big hole in our hearts and it will mend when we meet again.

I love and miss you so much.

Mom

Dispatcher Supervisor, Sue A. Cheney
Virginia State Police

January 17, 2007

Hi Jessica...

Just a brief note from a serving Irish Police Officer, who like all those who wear the 'blue' does ones best to serve their Communities...

I see you passed that with Honors...

I have also been to DC in May 2004 and 2005, where I bumped into your Sister, saw your name on the Memorial and said some prayers for you and more importantly - YOUR FAMILY..because like YOU, It's THEY who are more important to me...I suppose it's just a 'streak' Police Officers possess..

You, watch over your Family, Colleagues and Friends....

and....if you bump into a Good Looking Irish Guy called
GARDA DAVID DOWD-e.o.w. 2-19-89, from Ireland, tell him.... I'm still fighting to ensure that he - like you, will never be forgotten...

Till we meet again...

Mick

Michael Duffy - Police Officer
An Garda Siochana-Ireland's Police Force

January 9, 2007

Hey girl, it is hard to believe that you have been gone for so long. I will never forget the good times we had at the Academy nor the bad (I hope you are still laughing about our last night before graduation), because I am.! I have pasted your resting place so many times on duty and off that I speak to you on a regular basis. I wish you could have been here to meet Hailey and Jackson, I know they would love to hang out with you. Please watch over us in our travels. Until we meet again,
Love
Jill

Jill
VSP; Academy roommates

December 28, 2006

During this time of year I celebrate the birth of a Saviour and yet we mourn the loss of this saviour. My Saviour made the ultimate sacrifice to pay a debt He did not owe because I owed a debt I could not pay. This saviour paid the ultimate sacrifice for her community. My Saviour lives and this saviour, too, shall live again. Rest In Peace.

D. Paul, Special Agent
FBI

December 19, 2006

Mam, I honor your service and your sacrifice. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9.

We have your watch. Rest in peace.

Master Officer T.D. Morton
Chesterfield, Va.

November 25, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving girl!! I know you'll be with us in spirit but I wish you were here, eating up all the turkey & then looking for more. Miss you & love you more and more each day.

Mainey

Romaine Cheney
Sister, VA Tpr. Jessica J. Cheney

November 22, 2006

You have not been forgotten and are a true hero. My thoughts are with your loved ones as I know what they feel each and every day without you here. Keep watch over them and those individuals still out on patrol guarding the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW; 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Gold Star Father

October 5, 2006

Dearest Jessica,

This is the first time that I am leaving a reflection about you. It has been 8-1/2 years since I have hugged you, exchanged kisses or told you (in person) that I love you. So many people have said so many nice things about you in this web site. They obviously never knew your practical joke side. I remember how you and Romaine with the Help of Jeannie and her girls embarrassed the living daylights out of me when you started singing "Happy Birthday" to me in a restaurant. It wasn't even close to my birthday.

Remember our lunch at the Smithsonian? I remember it all too well and miss our day trips. I have not been back to the Smithsonian since that day in December 1997. You scared the living daylights out of me when you got so excited over a pair of the Ruby Red Slippers from the Wizard of Oz. I have been back to Virginia Beach but not to the restaurant where you ate everything but the walls, since our trip there. It is hard to go some places without you. You saw everything a little different than the rest of us. You are the eternal optimist. In one of the reflections, someone said that you never had a harsh word about anyone, that is correct and your positive attitude has helped me through some rough spots since you were taken from us. I am sitting here writing this because I can not sleep. It is your 32nd birthday and I can not rub it in. That is so frustrating since you harrassed me on quite a few of my birthdays.

Your dad and sister are doing fine. Gavin, your nephew, has some of your characteristics but is not quite you. I think he should become a lawyer because he can argue anything.

I will never stop loving and missing you. A part of me was killed on the 17th of January but I will always cry and love you until we meet again.

By the way, I know you and Greg have been patrolling the streets of Heaven. Be sure to give your Uncle Russell and your Grandma Mellinger a birthday hug for us. The three of you have birthdays within a week of each other.

We miss you and will love you forever.

Mom

Dispatcher Supervisor Sue A. Cheney
Virginia State Police

September 15, 2006

I never met Jessica and never heard of her story until a few months ago when I met her wonderful sister Romaine! When I learned of the story, my heart completely melted. Because of you Jessica (and because of your sister passing the word!), I light a blue candle everynight in the front window of my house..to show how truly appreciative I am for all you and every other Officer do to keep my family and I safe. Everytime I hear of an officer, firefighter, emt, military personnel loosing life in the line of duty it completely throws me back. It really holds me down. Reading your reflections has called for a box of tissues, but has made me see just how infectious your smile was and how highly everyone who crossed your path thought of you. Even though I never met you, Im just as proud of you as your loving sister!! And regret you are someone I will never have the chance to meet. May you rest in peace :o) GODSPEED!

Katie
Friend of Jessica's Sister

May 9, 2006

Another Virginia officer was killed today. Don't know who yet, so don't know if I knew him (her?). I have been blessed over the years to work with many great young people who go on to LE careers. Jessica was the first one of "mine" to make the ultimate sacrifice. I pray she will be the last. She could always make anyone smile. I hope Romaine and Mr. & Mrs. Cheney are doing well. God Bless.

DRG

May 4, 2006