Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

September 26, 2005

Mario,
You were the best. Not just a co-worker or squad-mate but a true friend. We've worked and played hard together. Your family at UCFPD misses you terribly and we all know that you died a hero doing the job that you loved. Your dedication and loyalty to the Department,your friends, and your family was unsurpassed...your integrity, unquestionable. We love you brother and will do everything we possibly can to help "Momma Bear" and the rest of your family through this time of need. I miss you so much and keep waiting for you to hit me up and tell me it's time to grab coffee. Gotta have coffee before roustings! From the bottom of my heart, thanks for everything. Rest in peace Doctor-D...we'll take it from here.

-Faz

Officer Matthew Fazi
University of Central Florida Police Department

September 26, 2005

Go with GOD and be in peace. Rest now, brother. My heart goes out to you, your family and the Univ. of CFPD.

My heart also goes out to the Orlando PD for a smooth recovery.

Deputy B. Lamens
Grant County Sheirff's Office, WA

September 26, 2005

Another senseless tragedy has struck the hearts of law enforcement everywhere. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten Officer Jenkins. God Bless You.

Cameron D. Boswell
Commerce Ga. PD

September 26, 2005

While it is no consolation for your loss, our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Officer Jenkins.

While no member of our agency had the privilege to have known him personally, we are certain that he has found a place in heaven through his selfless service to those he swore to protect.

Rest in peace officer; those of us who remain will cover your post on the thin blue line.

Medicine Lodge Police Department
Medicine Lodge, KS

September 26, 2005

I had the opporunity to work around Maro and know him. He was a nice person with a great personality. He will be greatly missed. I send my prayers to his wife and family in this most difficult time and hope they know that the Law Enforcement Family is here with them. We know how much of a great lost this is for you and you are in my prayers.

D/S Roberta King
Orange County Sheriff Office

September 26, 2005

While it is no consolation for your loss, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Officer Mario Jenkins.

Capt Josef T. Hagerer, Chaplain
Swiss Army, Ministerial Work

September 26, 2005

Prayers offered for the family of Officer Jenkins, and the families of all concerned in this tragic accident.


Thank You for YOUR Service, rest in peace Brother.

Deputy Osborne #424
Leon County Sheriff's Office
Tallahassee, Florida

Deputy David Osborne
Leon County Sheriff's Office

September 26, 2005

Words can not express how deeply sad we are that you are gone. Woody would always talk about how proud he is of you and what an excellent K9 officer you have become. We are heart broken, as is all of the UCFPD family. Be with God, we love you and you will always be in our hearts.

Jennifer Furnas
Wife of Sergeant Woody Furnas K9 UCFPD

Wife of a UCFPD Sergeant
Oviedo, Fl.

September 26, 2005

God bless sir, you will not be forgotten.

Deputy Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

September 26, 2005

God bless your family, friends, and department. Rest in peace brother.

Corporal
Fort Lupton, CO

September 25, 2005

Thank you for your dedicated service to your community and your department. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May they never forget your faithful service to your community and department and the brave HERO that you were. To the family, friends and co-workers, our heartfelt prayers and sympathies are with you. May God be with you all during this very sorrowful time. Words will never compensate the loss you have suffered. We pray that He now gives you all strength in your time of need. May you find peace in the thought, that we as friends, take this time to lift you up in prayer.

For your act of unselfish bravery and courage Officer Jenkins, we salute you. Blessed are the peacemakers

Denise & Erin Hunter, Widow and Daughter
Sgt. Gregory L. Hunter, Grand Prairie, TX Police Dept., EOW 6-18-04

September 25, 2005

Why is it that fellow peace officers do not recognize plain clothes police officers. They are not under cover. I pray that someone do something so that this kind of tragic error never happens again. Thank you for your service and may you rest in peace.

September 25, 2005

My sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Officer Mario Jenkins as well as to the University of Central Florida Police Department. Rest in peace Officer Jenkins, you are gone but will not be forgotten...

Dispatcher Sue Rusch
Punta Gorda PD, Punta Gorda FL

September 25, 2005

Rest in peace Brother Mario, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten for your service and courage.

Son of G. Truman Wortham 7/15/73

September 25, 2005

Our thought and prayers are with the family and friends of Officer Mario Jenkins, his good deeds to his community and country will always be remembered. May God bless you.

Chief Ferrell J. Stewart
Cooter, MO Police Department

September 25, 2005

Our sincere condolences to all parties involved in this terrible tragedy. We grieve with you.

The Family of Dave Grant EOW 5/31/04
Tuolumne Co. Sheriff's Dept.

September 25, 2005

My wife and I would like to send our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Officer Jenkins. Thank you for your years of service and dedication. We all share in the loss of losing one of our own. May God Bless.

Officer T.T.Royster
Huntsville Police Department, AL.

September 25, 2005

This is a hard time for all of us in Law Enforement. Officer Jenkins will be missed by all. Thank you Officer Jenkins for your service and dedication. God Be with you and your family.

Officer Mike Rumpsa
Lino Lakes Police Department

September 25, 2005

I had the great pleasure of meeting Mario several years ago. When Rich had told me that he had made K9 I was so happy because I knew that he wanted to be a handler and that he would make a good one. My thoughts and prayers are with the Jenkins family. Mario you've done your time here on earth, go my friend and patrol the streets of Heaven.

Officer Scott Summers & K9 Kim
University of Florida

September 25, 2005

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

September 25, 2005

You my brother were in a struggle for your life, what a tragic loss. I was there, pondering what could of been done differently, I have no answers. You gave the ultimate sacrifice. I as well as my fellow officers are so sorry we were unable to help you in your time of need. I know the Orlando Officer involved, and you must know he is hurting, he has wept many tears, and he is so very sorry. GOD BLESS YOU MY BROTHER. REST NOW, WE WILL TAKE IT FROM HERE.

Orlando Police Officer
Orlando Police Dept.

September 25, 2005

MY BROTHER, MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. MAY HE ALSO BLESS YOUR FRIENDS, AND COWORKERS. WHAT A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. YOU ARE A HERO. MAY YOU NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. YOU HAVE SERVED WELL, NOW MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. OUR PRAYERS TO THE ORLANDO OFFICER INVOLVED IN THIS.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

September 25, 2005

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. REST IN PEACE BROTHER, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!!!!!!

SGT.DANIEL ABRAHAMSON
OSCEOLA COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

September 25, 2005

God Bless you Officer jenkins

JOE BARRY
uk citizen

September 25, 2005