Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for protecting us, Mario. Words can't describe the hole in the collective heart of the UCF student body and the Greek system. I know one day we'll still get that beer together we always talked about.

Ashley Burns
UCF Student, friend

October 2, 2005

Dear Mario,

I sat at my home, sharing in a barbecue with Det. Hartsfield, as this entire event slowly unfolded before my eyes. The text message was sent, then a second, and then a phone call. The look I saw in Jerry's eyes, I knew what had just happened. I have known Jerry for 16 years, and never did I see such emotion. Everything then went in slow motion. You were the best of the best my brother!

We first met when you began at UCFPD, and I had the pleasure to be one of your FTO's. I immediately felt your true and genuine passion for the badge, and more importantly, your love and devotion for Valerie. During our training phase I thought, "what could I possibly teach this special man who already seems to be the complete package"? I think you may have taught me more during our time together, both job related and personally. I did not stay with the PD long after you began, and I am truly saddened that we did not continue our friendship, as our paths seemed to divert.

Mario, your dad seemed so overwhelmed with the masses of outpouring in love and support from so many people and agencies, and he felt like his repeated thank you's were just not enough. Well, I must say that he has in fact thanked us all over and over again, as he brought you into this world and raised you to be what you are, and for each and every path that you ever crossed, those people were truly blessed and honored for ever meeting you. His thank you has been heard loud and clear. We should really be thanking him. Mario, I thank you for making a difference in this world and in my life, and for making it a better place for all.

I will forever remember your smile, how infectious, your facial expressions, like you were up to no good, but a harmless no good. You never seemed worried or bothered, you never seemed to be tired or angry, you just continued to serve your community, wife, and friends in a tireless and selfless fashion.

Forever in my heart,

Steve

Former UCFPD Officer Steven Carmagnola
UCFPD

October 2, 2005

God Bless the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Jenkins.

mjw 643

October 2, 2005

To Officer Mario Jenkins and Family:

My deepest sympathies go out to you. I'm sorry that your lives had to take this route, and even though I never met you, I feel proud to know that you protected our campus from danger and kept us safe. I know that you are in a better place, and hope that you all feel proud that Officer Jenkins gave his life to protect ours, thank you for your bravery, courage, and dedication to us. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.

Charles Inglese
UCF Student

October 2, 2005

Mario
I will truely miss you my friend. You where a better friend than I could of ever hoped for! Rest in peace My friend.

Eric (Blake) Blakeney
Civilian

October 2, 2005

"It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly...who knows the great enthusiasims, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows the triumph of high achievment; and who, at the worst,if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
Teddy Roosevelt,1910

Deputy Sheriff
Orange County Sheriff's Office

October 2, 2005

God speed Mario and may God bless your family and help them through this time.

Ret. Sgt. Ed Mignone
UFPD

October 1, 2005

Mario,

For many years I called UCFPD my home and its members were, and still are my family. I have known most of them for many years and have fond memories and strong bonds with them. I never had the opportunity to form that same bond with you however your reputation as a good officer was known. Over the past few days I have met with them and have grieved with them over their loss. As I said before, many of them I know well. The past few days I have looked at their faces and into their eyes and see that they are truly broken and hurt. Their expressions show just how much you meant to them and how much they will miss you. Thank you for your service and thank you for the friendships you forged with them. To my UCFPD family, my heart is always with you.

Det. Michael Rosignol
Orange County Sheriff's Office

October 1, 2005

Mario, This past week has been the longest and hardest of my life. It has taken this long to gain enough composure to write this. I never thought I would see the day you were no longer with us.The feeling is more terrible than I could ever imagine. As I am writing this friends and family fill the house, and your mom just walked into the room. Even with all the activity and visitors, the house is still empty without you.
Mario, I am so proud of you. I was lucky enough to watch you grow from the academy to an experienced officer.Throughout this past week and at the funeral service today everyone gave words of respect and admiration for you and your service, both to the Marines and at Clermont and UCF. They confirmed what I have known all along.I hope you are pleased at what you saw today.
Mario, I am proud to call you my brother-in-law, even though I consider you my brother. I will miss our time together... your smile, jokes and just being around you, as you would say "good times".
Be at peace knowing that right now we may be sad, but eventually we'll be alright. Right now Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet are playing on the stereo and Val, wearing your red hawaiian shirt and "El Capitan" hat, is reading this as I finish writing. I love you and miss you.

Officer Richard R. Vaughn
University of Florida Police Department

October 1, 2005

My fiancé, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in SE Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Mario did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Mario be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Jenkins' family, friends, and co-workers are going through in losing him. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. Please know that my thoughts are with you and that you are not alone in your "journey". Should you ever need anything please do not hesitate to contact me. (The Davis County Sheriff's Office and COPS will also always know how to reach me.)

As a fallen officer "survivor" and a friend, please accept my condolences on behalf of myself and the McElderry family. I never got the opportunity to know Mario but, I am certain he was well respected and well loved. Mario will live on in the hearts of all the lives he touched. You were all blessed to have been able to know and love Mario, even for a short time. I pray that Mario and Dennis will continue to watch over us along with all the other fallen officers all as only they can.

Thank you Officer Jenkins for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis for me.

Wishing you and all those who loved you brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

October 1, 2005

To the family of Office Jenkins,
My name is Kim Keena and I am the daughter of a Denver Police Officer that was also accidentally shot and killed by another officer. I was only 8 years old when my father died. Everytime an officer is killed I remember the day my father died. I know the pain and want to let you know I am so sorry for your loss. I do want you to know though, because of the death of my father in the line of duty, I was able to recieve funds from the Denver Police Orphans Fund which paid for me to attend college. I am now a Special Education Teacher in Lake County. I know the love and compassion of the family of police officers. Without that I would not be doing what I am doing now. Again, my deepest sympathy go out to your family and may God be with you all during this time of sorrow.

You are in my thoughts and prayers,
Kim Keena

Kim Keena
Daughter of Denver P.O. Paul Wilson EOW 9-14-68

October 1, 2005

It was an honor to serve with you. Mahalo

Officer Chadwick Edmondson
Clermont Police Department

October 1, 2005

As a former UCF student and member of the law enforcement community, I am deeply saddened by this terrible tragedy. Thank you for making this world a safer place while you were in it.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your friends and family.

Yvonne
FBI

October 1, 2005

Our son Bobby was in school at MMSI in Orlando about three years ago. He and Mario and Val became friend's while living in the same rental complex. Bobby had a very high regard for Mario and talked about him and Val all the time. My husband and I had occasion to visit our son a couple of times and Mario and Val made us very welcome. We really enjoyed visiting with them too. They were very easy going and didn't see us as strangers. Our son will be married this month and Mario and Val were invited to his wedding. Bad enough that we lost bobby's Dad in August but then to lose Mario so abruptly was very hard on Bobby and the rest of our family. We will miss both of them at the wedding but worse we will miss Mario forever.

Elizabeth Thomson (friend)

October 1, 2005

WE ALL LOVED YOU AND WILL DEARLY MISS YOU. YOU AND SCOTT WILL BE PROTECTING US FROM UP ABOVE, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

OFFICER CINDY HOMELIUS
CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT

October 1, 2005

Mario,
We recently lost one of our own about six weeks ago. A K9 handler as well. Its a tragic time that seems never ending. After his funeral I swore I would never attend another.

Im attending your funeral in a few hours, Im dressing my uniform and trying to prepare. Unfortunately I know what your brothers feel, and Ive seen what your family feels.

My small part is to pay respect, to say goodbye and help in holding the thin blue line.

Rest in peace Mario, and be sure to meet NSB K-9 Ofc. Roy Nelson, he has his K9 Ceasar by his side, you guys can share decoy duty in heaven.

Officer Chrisopher Kirk
New Smyrna Beach Police Department

October 1, 2005

Words cannot describe the feelings of pain all of us at UCF feel since last weekend. Though I have never met you, I know you and your fellow officers worked day in and day out to make sure our University was a safe place for all of us students. We take great comfort in knowing you will be watching over us here at UCF. God bless you, your family, and your brothers at the UCFPD.

Lee Keller
UCF Student

September 30, 2005

A GREAT PERSON, A GREAT OFFICER, YOU WILL BE MISSED DEARLY. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

OFFICER MATTHEW SCHAFER
CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT

September 30, 2005

There are no words, poems, or thoughts that I can use to express how tragic this event must be for everyone involved. My thoughts are with all of you.
Officer Jenkins you sound like one hell of a man, it would seem that to have known you was a priviledge I missed out on, rest well and look in on all of us from time to time.

Det. Hathaway
Richmond P.D., VA.

September 30, 2005

My deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Officer Jenkins. My God Bless your Family and Brothers and Sisters in blue.

Wife Of Chicago Police Officer

September 30, 2005

TO: THE JENKINS FAMILY

MARIO AND I SHARE A MUTUAL FRIEND AT UCFPD. IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS SINCE THE TRAGEDY I'VE HEARD WHAT A GREAT FRIEND AND OFFICER HE WAS. IM SORRY I NEVER HAD THE PRIVILIGE TO HAVE MET HIM. GOD BE WITH YOU ALL AND MARIO LOOK AFTER ALL OF US FROM ABOVE BROTHER. SO SORRY YOU ARE GONE. WE WILL SEE YOU SOON...

D/S R PEREZ
ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

September 30, 2005

Hey Brother,
Your in a better place now. When I heard about this on sunday morning, I told my wife that my birthday will never be the same. While I was celebrating my birthday you were fighting for your life. Mario, I will never forget the great times we had in the Marines and working side by side with you when you were in Clermont and I was in Lake County. I will never forget you.. SEMPER FI

Officer Wayne Costa
Orlando Police Department

September 30, 2005

I wish I had the privilege of meeting you, since you sound like the type of person I most enjoy working with in my job advising students. I have made friends with many LEOs through our criminal justice program, and feel honored and humbled by many of them. My biggest fear is always losing one of them, like we lost you. I lost one of my (former) students in Marion County a little over a year ago, and was proud to see so many officers representing so many jurisdictions honoring him at the funeral. He was also a K-9 officer. You will have a lot to talk with him about when you see him. His name is Brian Litz.

I want to say THANK YOU to you, and everyone who works in law enforcement. I don't think we do that often enough. We may be polite, and hope that we are not "caught" speeding, or worse, but we don't say thank you enough for all that you do for us. I understand that you were very well respected by both peers and students, and I hope you knew the impact that you made in their lives.

I have many friends at the UCFPD right now that are missing you terribly. I want to hug them all and tell them that it will be OK. My thoughts and prayers are with them so they can continue to do the great job that they do in your honor. My thoughts and prayers are also with your wife and family as they strive to move on in this difficult time. You will be missed by many who knew you, and many who wish they did.

Debbie Phillis, CJ advisor
University of Central Florida

September 30, 2005

Mario,I am so sorry!!! Tomorrow will be the toughest for everyone when you are laid to rest. I will keep your family in my prayers and hope that you will watch over my husband your fellow brother in blue! Thanks for your service, you are a true HERO!!

friend

September 30, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. May god bless.

Detective
George Mason University Police Department

September 30, 2005