Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Mario,

I did not know you but was touched about the tragic and unfortunate event resulting in your death. As a brother in another law enforcement agency I want to saw thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Fort Lauderdale Police Department

October 8, 2005

Mario, I already wrote once, but I wanted to say that James and I were anxiously awaiting my first cruise when we heard the news. We waited for the funeral to be set, knowing we would end up not going if it meant missing the service. Thankfully, we were able to attend the beautiful beautiful services and still make the cruise... but I just had to write again to let you know that I took your advice and my very first drink and toast on the ship was "something tall and strong" (a Hurricane) just for you...

Gladys
Girlfriend of UCFPD officer

October 8, 2005

Farewell Brother. We are proud you are one of us. Rest in Peace and be assured your loved ones are not alone for we are but a phone call away.
Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police Assn.

October 7, 2005

Mario, you were a blast! To the guys at UCF PD, you are in my thoughts and prayers.I only wish there was something else I could do.

I have been saying the Jewish Mouners prayer in Honor of his friend and family:

May the great Name of God be exalted and sanctified, throughout the world, which he has created according to his will. May his Kingship be established in your lifetime and in your days, and in the lifetime of the entire household of Israel, swiftly and in the near future; and say, Amen.
May his great name be blessed, forever and ever.
Blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, extolled, honored elevated and lauded be the Name of the holy one, Blessed is he- above and beyond any blessings and hymns, Praises and consolations which are uttered in the world; and say Amen. May there be abundant peace from Heaven, and life, upon us and upon all Israel; and say, Amen.

He who makes peace in his high holy places, may he bring peace upon us, and upon all Israel; and say Amen

and in Hebrew

Yis'ga'dal v'yis'kadash sh'may ra'bbo, b'olmo dee'vro chir'usay v'yamlich malchu'say, b'chayaychon uv'yomay'chon uv'chayay d'chol bais Yisroel, ba'agolo u'viz'man koriv; v'imru Omein.
Y'hay shmay rabbo m'vorach l'olam ul'olmay olmayo.
Yisborach v'yishtabach v'yispoar v'yisromam v'yismasay, v'yishador v'yis'aleh v'yisalal, shmay d'kudsho, brich hu, l'aylo min kl birchoso v'sheeroso, tush'bechoso v'nechemoso, da,ameeran b'olmo; vimru Omein.
Y'hay shlomo rabbo min sh'mayo, v'chayim alaynu v'al kol Yisroel; v'imru Omein.
Oseh sholom bimromov, hu ya'aseh sholom olaynu, v'al kol yisroel; vimru Omein.

Megan Doyle
former UCF student

October 6, 2005

Officer Jenkins,
Thank you for protecting the UCF Community. You will be truly missed and will never be forgotten. May God bless you and may you rest in peace.

Joni Mixon
UCF Grad Student

October 6, 2005

WOW, What a wonderful person you were to be loved so much by everyone! I check your reflection everyday and are just amazed at all the loving things that are said about you! Life will be forever changed without you! Rest now sweet angel!

friends always

October 6, 2005

Officer Jenkins,

It certainly is a sad thing that has happened to you. I know most here on campus did not show the UCFPD the respect it deserves, but I hope what has happened to you will open their eyes to just what you and your fellow officers do for us. You will be missed dearly on campus and in this world.

Wesley Chapman
UCF Student

October 5, 2005

Mario
I only spoke with you a few times, but I remember talking about your dog with you and saw how pleased and happy you were to be a K-9 officer. And I remember thinking: "This is what campus cops should always be -- pleasant, polite, self effacing, kind and funny.
This is the kind of cop that a university needs to work with young people."
So when I heard that Saturday that it was you who had been shot, I felt such a loss for our University community.
Attending your funeral was both heartbreaking and uplifting. Seeing your wife and parents deal with their loss was heart wrenching, but hearing all the "guy" stories about you and your pals and your terrific sense of humor was heart warming. You obviously had an impact on everyone who met you.
As someone said, if there wasn't laughter in heaven before, there is now.

UCF employee

October 5, 2005

Mario, you died a hero. God speed my fellow Marine (Sempi Fi). Remember the gates of heaven are guarded by UNITED STATES MARINES. Our prayers will be with your wonderful wife and your family. Good bye to our brother in blue and our fellow Marine. Once a Marine always a Marine....

Steven C. Guibord, Chief/Naples Police
Jackie G. Guibord, Inv/Provo Police

Chief Steven C. Guibord
Naples Police Department

October 5, 2005

I graduated high school with Mario. I met him in eighth grade when i moved to florida with my family. I was a scared kid with no friends until i got to class with him. He helped me get through the hardest couple of weeks of my life. Thanks for being there Mario. We will miss you.

Matthew Roy
Army contractor

October 5, 2005

My friendship with Mario has left me with more funny memories than I can count. He was a special friend, offbeat roomate in college, and all around good guy. I am lucky to have known him, and his family.

Richard Hill
Point Judith Rhode Island

October 4, 2005

Mario,

It was an honor to serve on Delta Squad with you! As I reflect on those days, I am reminded of all the good times we had. We had so much fun quoting all of our favorite movies over and over again! We even threw are voices to try and make it sound just like it was in the movies. I think we drove Dale crazy...LOL! I truly admire your devotion to your family, friends, and especially to your wife Valerie! We will always remember you, and I look forward to seeing you again when we get to heaven.

God Bless,
"Super Ick"

Officer Robbie Slavik
UCFPD

October 4, 2005

Mario,
I only worked with you for about a year when you left for UCF, but during that time I could tell you would make an excellent officer. We would talk about the military and about the Ocala/Gainesville area. You were a good man and I only wish I could have gotten to know you better. Maybe we can catch up when we next meet again. May peace be with you brother.

Ofc. John Lee
Clermont P.D.

October 3, 2005

Mario R. Jenkins:

SNAFU after SNAFU. We’ve managed to create a societal situation where someone didn’t know who you were when it mattered most; now we have another situation where we don’t now where to put you! (“Officer’s burial uncertain. Widow fights for military funeral granted then revoked,” by Pedro Ruz Gutierrez, Orlando Sentinel, October 1, 2005).

As a citizen, I’m appalled you and your family should be so treated and extend my deepest sympathies and condolences for the aggravations we’ve managed to put y’all through.

Hope to visit you at Bushnell one of these days! 

Grad student
UCF

October 3, 2005

We were so saddened to read about this tragic accident. Our cousin attends college where Ofc. Jenkins works we know that the community must be in shock. We pray for Ofc. Jenkins, his family, his friends and co-workers. Also, we are praying for the officer that accidentally shot him -- we pray for forgiveness and so he can forgive himself. Our hearts go out to you all.

Valerie Bell
Wife of DC Officer

October 3, 2005

May you rest in peace. Thank you so much for your dedicated service to keeping our students, Faculty, and staff safe everyday. Your work on this earth was very important and I know God will truely find a place in heaven for you to serve. You will be missed. My heart and prays go out to your spouse and your parents. Until we meet again.

Joanne McCully
UCF - Adm Asst

October 3, 2005

Officer Jenkins,
It has been 9 days since your tragic death. Your funeral was beautiful. Even though I never got a chance to meet you, after leaving the service I felt as if I knew you. It was apparent that you were one who loved life, loved your wife, your family & your friends. Even though your life was cut short, I truly believed that you lived and experienced life in a way that many do not.
Valerie, you were amazing at the service. You are truly an amazing and strong woman. My prayers are with you everyday. May God fill your heart with love, peace and the understanding that only He can provide.

God Bless the entire Jenkins, Vaughn and UCF family.

OPD

October 3, 2005

Although I did not know you, as a former UCFPD Officer I am deeply saddened by your death. My prayers are with your family and all your fellow officers.
Heroes live forever. May you rest in loving arms of God.

The Rev. Jose McLoughlin

The Rev. Jose McLoughlin
Christ Episcopal Church

October 3, 2005

Mario,

Thank you so much for all of the laughther and joy to brought to all of us. Keep 'em in stitches upstairs buddy. We will miss you.

Detective Kimberley K. Carr
Clermont Police Department

October 3, 2005

Mario, I just wanted to say you have been one of the best friends I ever had. You were always there when I needed you and you always had my back. I will never forget the times we had riding to and from work together with you and Mikey in the "Speed Racer". We spent more time together than we did apart and I loved and will charish every minute of it. The "Three Amigos" as Sarge would have said. The Penvose girls will never forget you, they ask all the time and now they each have a picture of you watching over them as they sleep. We Love you and we will never forget you Doctor. I will continue my medication.

Scott Penvose

October 3, 2005

Mario was the type of friend we all strive to be. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Jenkins family who lost a son, Valerie who lost a husband and a best friend, and to the all of us who lost a brother.
Godspeed My Friend

Joel & Staci Chamberlain
Civilian & Friend

October 3, 2005

Officer Jenkins..you - your family - friends & co-workers are in my thoughts & prayers..please watch over them & your fellow brothers/sisters in blue..YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN..REST IN PEACE & WITH EASE BLUE ANGEL!!!!

girlfriend of a leo
michigan

October 3, 2005

The trait I will always remember most about Mario, is the fact he was a true warrior. On that tragic day, even after he was wounded, he continued to fight. Lesser men and women would have given up, but he didn't. That's something I will always be proud of. Delta shift won't be the same without you.

Ofc. William Howes
University of Central Florida Police Department

October 3, 2005

Mario AKA: The Fat Kid,

In the past week I have watched things that were important to me lose all meaning. Food and drink (as hard as it will be for you to believe this) lost its taste. Though I filled my cup and plate many times, even in your name, what I drank or ate never quenched my thirst or stopped my hunger. I know as much that one day soon food’s taste will come back to me, and drink will beset my thirst. Nevertheless, what saddens me is that I will not see you again until I have left this earth. I guess it is only right though, you leaving before all of us that knew you. I know that you have gone to make ready heaven for us, which could be good or bad, depending on what jokes you decide to pay back. Knowing the facts of your death, who was wrong or who was right will never bring your death into a place of understanding for me, but I know that your life as brief as it was, was something to take pride in. I think Mark Twain said it best when he said, “Let us endeavor in our own lives so that when we die even the undertaker will mourn our passing” you have done this and then some. By the way, you did not have to wait until Halloween to gain your sainthood. I will always Love You, Remember You, and most importantly Honor You.

Love Always,
The Big Kid

Officer Anthony Lupo
UCFPD

October 3, 2005

My prayers are with you, and I hope that you find peace in your heart. Your son was one of the few heros, and we can only thank you for that.My son is a Marine and he is home safe, only by the grace of God. My Mother was there for the funeral, Liza Jones, and I dont know what to say except may God hold you and comfort you and be proud of your son. He will be with you forever in your heart. Sue.

October 2, 2005