Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Mario, out of all the reflections I have left on ODMP, I would have never guessed I would ever be writing one to you. I have typed and erased countless paragraphs… trying to express in writing what exactly it is I am feeling… However, I have come to the realization words will never convey how much you meant to us… and how much you will be missed.

It was just a few days ago that we were talking about the upcoming Gang Investigators Conference. You were so excited about it. I guess many of us are still in shock. I do take solace in knowing that you died doing something you truly believed in… making a difference in the lives of the community you served.

Your death will not be taken lightly by anyone who has ever met you. You had a way to make everyone, in every scenario, laugh and feel at ease. I only wish I could hear one of your quick-witted jokes to feel that way right now.

You will be missed... Fallen... but not forgotten.

Detective/Corporal James Mangan
University of Central Florida Police Dept

September 28, 2005

Mario,

I had the pleasure of conducting your background investigation when you first joined the UCF Police Department. I recall thinking, “Wow, wouldn’t it be great to get a few more officers like you”, but then in the next thought I realized that would not be possible because officers like you are too few and far between. You will be missed and have left an everlasting mark in our agency and our hearts.

Valerie,

I had the pleasure of speaking with you when I was conducting Mario’s background investigation. During that time, I also had the pleasure of hearing the wonderful things your husband said about you. From those conversations, I learned that you both felt very lucky to have each other. Our hearts and prayers are with you.

Sgt. Kelli Smith
UCF Police Department

September 28, 2005

To my life long friend/brother,to Val,to Mr/Mrs. "J", and the rest of the family:

If the Army and the Navy were to look on heavens scenes, they will find the streets are guarded by the United States Marines.

God needed another angel.

Goodbye brother, with pride, honor and love in my heart.

"Dirt"

Deputy Sean Olohan
Clay County Sheriff's Office Florida

September 28, 2005

I had the great honor of being trained by this man. Mario I looked up to you from day one knowing you would not steer me wrong. I spoke to you just minutes prior to the incident on the phone and you were having the time of your life doing what you enjoyed most. I will never forget you now that I carry your unit number 14 permanently on my arm. Yes Mario another tattoo I knew you would look down and smile and say you crazy sum beech. Nothing will replace the good times we shared for I was alway treated like a member of the family. I know eventually the tears will end but trust me when I say your memory will never do so.

God bless you and your family always.

SB

Officer Samuel Gonzalez
UCF Police

September 28, 2005

It is said that you can tell a lot about a man from the words of those he left behind. From the words of your family, co-workers and the choices you made, I know you stood for honor, dignity, pride, service to your community and fellow man.

May God Bless you and all of those whose hearts continue to miss you. Your memory will be alive in all of us.

Patrol Officer
Orlando Police

September 28, 2005

Your shift is over now. May you rest in peace "brother". We have the watch. God bless you and your family, always.

Corporal Brent Hodge
Ormond Beach Police Department

September 28, 2005

Mario

Since I was made aware of this site, I have been trying to type this out but can not seem to get past the first line or two without tearing up and remembering the times we shared. When I first met you, I was your FTO and I soon realized that you were going to bring something special to our department. Now as I sit here and reflect on the past, I remember when you left me standing by the road to chase down a motorcycle and had to back up to pick me up, and the time you ran into waist deep water to catch your man (which you did).

Over the next several years, I was able to work with you not only as an officer but as a friend as well. During that time, you gave your all no matter what the task was. When you began training new officers, I again realized the wealth of information, compassion you had for our community and love of the position you held. Now as I watched these officers branch out on their own, it is apparent that you had a big impact on them. For in them, I see you, your commitment and respect for the position they now hold. Your legacy will live on as they will soon train new officers with the passion and respect for the job you taught them. This department will never be the same without you. I never thought that I would have to do something like this. I will miss you “Brother” you will NEVER be forgotten and we will meet again one day. Rest in peace, we will take it from here.

To the Jenkins family, you are in my prayers. May god lift you up and strengthen you in this time of need.

Erik Lashinsky

Cpl. Erik Lashinsky
UCFPD

September 28, 2005

Mario, thank you for your service to the Central Florida Community. You situation was a tragic loss to law enforcement. Rest Easy, we got the watch.

Oviedo Officer
Oviedo Police Deparment

September 28, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with all parties involved in this tragic event. Rest in Peace Officer Mario Jenkins, May God protect those you left behind.

Kevin Maida
UCF Student

September 28, 2005

Mario, I don't know where to begin. Your passing has left a void that can't be filled. You are one of my closest friends and will always be. I never thought that I would have to do something like this for such a good friend.This was not supposed to happen to you.I still can't believe it's true. This is the hardest thing I have ever done or dealt with. I never knew that I would be affected the way that losing you has done to me. ERT training will never be the same and neither will the dreaded o-course at the OCSO range.I am doing my best to help your family and especially Val. I hope that you can see this and I hope that I can make you proud.I know that you would do this for me. I'll miss our races to see who can give each other "the finger" first. I never got to tell you how good of a friend you are and how much you meant to us, but I think you knew and we didn't have to say. The outpouring of sympathy and support is overwhelming.I am honored and privileged to be able to call you my friend. Your death will not be in vain,I promise.People will know about you and your sacrifice and learn lessons from it for years to come.You were not only a good cop but a better man that people wanted to emulate.I'll miss you. "Unit 14 to University(caw, caw)." "10-7".
God our father, who by land and sea, has ever led us to victory,please continue your inspiring guidance in all conflict I face.
Strengthen my heart and mind, so that the weakening instinct of self preservation, which besets us all in battle, shall not blind me to my duty, to the glory of my calling,or to the responsibility of my fellow officers.
Grant us all, the discipline,valor and mutual confidence which ensures success in all our challenges.
Let me not mourn for the men and women who have died fighting before me, but rather let me be glad that such heroes have lived and shared their glory.I shall learn from their sacrifice and carry their honor with me every moment of every day.
If it be my lot to die,let me do so with courage and honor in a manner which will bring the greatest harm to the foe, and all evil things which threaten our way of life.
Please Lord, when the time comes for me to join the many warriors up above,protect and guide those I shall leave behind.Comfort their hearts and strengthen their souls,for I have not died in vain.
With the guiding strength of your hand,lead me to victory in all of my daily battles. Amen. "Warriors Prayer" by Ofc. Juan McDermott-OPD

Officer Allan Darcey
University of Central Florida Police

September 27, 2005

Mario, Thank you for your dedication to the job in every aspect. Through this tragic event you continue to train. As a State Beverage Agent "routine" work/detail will not be looked at hte same again. May you now help God watch over your brothers and sisters. Rest in peace and thank you.

Special Agent Orlando
Florida Div. Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco

September 27, 2005

Words are not adequate to express what Mario's law enforcement brothers and sisters feel for the loss of Mario. It brings me much sadness when a brother or sister is killed in the line of duty. I will pray for the Jenkin's family and the continued safety of all law enforcement.

Officer Brian Watson
Winter Park Police Department

September 27, 2005

Ofc. Jenkins, as I read through the reflections your fellow officers wrote, it's easy to see what type of cop you must have been. No agency deserves to suffer such a loss, especially under these tragic circumstances. Our community clearly lost a great officer last weekend, but your courage and ultimate sacrifice will always be remembered. My thoughts and prayers go out to your wife and family, as well as to your fellow officers of the U.C.F. Police Dept. Please know that our hearts are heavy at O.P.D. right now, and they will be for some time to come.

Det. Chris Haas
Orlando Police Dept.

September 27, 2005

May God bless you and may you rest in peace. You have served with the best and now we will continue with the fight to protect our communities. May you rest in peace my brother. I will take the Watch now.

Officer Jose Duarte
Douglas Police Department

September 27, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with you thank you for dedicating your life to your community. rest in peace always..linda mixon

Detective
Monroe county sheriffs dept.

September 27, 2005

This is a tragedy that no 2 agencies could ever fathom having to fo through. My thoughts and prayers to Officer Jenkins wife, family, fellow officers at UCF & Clermont PD, as well as to all the officers of Orlando Police.
Rest in Peace Officer Jenkins, those who remain will cover your post on the thin blue line.

Dispatcher
Orlando Police Department

September 27, 2005

Thank you for your dedicated service to our Country and our Community. May you rest in eternal peace.

David Noznesky, Special Agent (Ret)
U S Secret Service

September 27, 2005

Our Thoughts and Prayers go out to both of the agencies involved in this tragic event. May God Bless and comfort Mario's family and friends. Watch over us brother from above.

Green Cove Springs P.D., FL

September 27, 2005

My heart is heavy to hear of such a tragedy. My deepest sympathies to the family and department of Officer Jenkins. I hope his family and the other officer find peace. RIP

Deputy N. Antoniou
San Jacinto County Constable Precint 2

September 27, 2005

Rest in peace brother... Our prayers and thoughts are with both the UCFPD and OPD officers....

Officer Jim Gilbert
Columbus Ohio Div. of Police

September 27, 2005

Mario,

I know I speak for everyone who knew you when I say that you are by far the most respected memeber of our agency.

You will live on forever through each of us as we continue the mission you held so dear, protecting the lives of others.

Speaking from my heart, you are one of the major reasons I decided to stay with UCFPD. Over the past few years, you taught me many things, and I will carry on those things for the rest of my life. From the ride-alongs I did in college, to the pre-FTO training, to the day I spent training with you and ERT, to my experiences working patrol with you, I thank you for all that you have given me. And I ask that God and all His angels take care of you and look after you like you did all of us. Rest now friend, the watch is ours.

Mrs. Jenkins,

If there is anything at all we can do, please let us know. You will always be a memeber of our family and your husband will never be forgotten. Please know that Mario was truly the best of the best and he will be missed greatly by all.

It is an honor for me to be able to say that I was previleged enough to be trained by and serve with Mario. He was more than just a brother officer and a fine teacher, he was a true friend and I can't wait to see him again one day.

Ofc. Earl Cowan
UCFPD

September 27, 2005

GOD BLESS YOU OFFICER JENKINS AND YOUR FAMILY. REST IN PEACE AND WE PRAY FOR YOUR FELLOW BROTHER IN BLUE WHO DID THIS TO YOU.

WIFE OF A FLORIDA OFFICER

September 27, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Jenkins; may he rest in peace.
I also pray that the Orlando police officer who mistook Officer Jenkins for an armed suspect finds peace.

Linda Lamm - LEO Wife and Sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

September 27, 2005

THIS IS REALLY SAD FOR EVERYONE ENVOLVED. SO MANY LIVES WILL BE CHANGED FOR EVER. I PRAY FOR THE FALLEN OFFICER AND HIS FAMILY. I ALSO PRAY FOR THE OFFICER WHO MISTAKENLY SHOT A FELLOW OFFICER. I PRAY FOR BOTH POLICE AGENCIES ENVOLVED. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. RIP BROTHER OFFICER. NEVER FORGOTTEN!!!

DETECTIVE LIONEL GARRETT
INGLEWOOD PD

September 27, 2005

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Jenkins family and friends.I had the honor to know you as a young boy,who grew into a great man.Rest in peace Mario,you will be greatly missed.

Dep.Brian Clark
Pinellas County Sheriffs Office

September 27, 2005