Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To Corporal Mario Jenkins and his loved ones:

On this the third anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Mario. I am so humbled by your valor and courage. Semper Fi.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Mario gave to his community and the citizens of Florida, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 24, 2005.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

Phyllis Loya
mother of Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

September 25, 2008

Now it's 3 years.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

September 24, 2008

Remembering you today and always.

You are greatly missed.

DS

September 23, 2008

Mario,
Sorry I won't be able to visit you tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you though, like I do every day. The guys and I will raise a glass in your honor.

Anonymous

September 23, 2008

It is coming up on three years now Mario. Hard to believe. I think about you a lot, I lost another former Marine bud last year. So senseless. I like to thing you guys are eating Mr Jenkins' alcohol cherries yelling "hoo-rah" together. I found some more pics you had sent me of your swat competition. Im going to send them to your mom, in case she doesnt have them. Rest easy brother, know that you are never far from your friends' thoughts, and you could never be forgotten.

Joe Parra
Friend

September 18, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Cadets of the Basic Recruit Class 333 of Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy, Tallahassee, FL, thank you for your sacrifice.

Cadet Strzalkowski
Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy

March 30, 2008

My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Though I hadn't seen you for years, Your funny personality and nature still makes me smile to this day thinking about High School days in Mr.P's shop class. I can still see you doing the jerky boys "sal rosenberg" impression..LOL oh how you made us all laugh so much. We will all miss you, take care my friend and rest easy, we will take your watch from here. See you again someday.

Matt -Officer/FF/EMT
Friend from TSHS

March 11, 2008

Hey buddy...thinking of you tonight. Your mom did a great thing for Melissa and I this week. She sent us a baby blanket she knitted. We are expecting and due in July. I will surly be thinking of you on that exciting day.

I am working hard in my new position and I hope I am making you proud, as I know training was important to you. It is amazing how the department has changed in just 2 and a half years, in terms of staff. I have found my self explaining to many, who you were and how special you were to many of us.

Keep smiling down on us!

Shoe

March 7, 2008

I visit this web site on a daily basis as I leave reflections for officers. My goal is to leave a reflection for every officer whose story resides here. Today your story came up and I am touched by the tragedy of it. It for me is fate, as rather than doing "today in history" date, I clicked on your photo and you are the 6,000 person I am leaving a a reflection for. Thank you Sir for the job you did and for your military service. I wish more justice could have been served on your behalf. One thing is a given for all of you men and women who served and protect while we sleep safely in our homes at night, and while we work during the day and travel on vacation. All you do without the majority of us even knowing you are there. Another thank you all for that. All of you and especially you Sir, are a hero just by the profession that you chose. God Bless you, and all those that love and miss you.

vandenberghe
manchester, nh

January 11, 2008

Mario,

It is Christmas Eve and I feel the need to let you know that you are not forgotten and always missed.

Fellow Officer

December 24, 2007

It is only a few days before Christmas and I was thinking about you and your family. You both are still in our thoughts and prayers. We miss you buddy. Please continue to watch over us.

Fellow Officer
UCF Police Department

December 22, 2007

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 16, 2007

Mario,
Its been such a long time since I have Left a message for you.Theres not a day that goes bye that you dont cross my mind.We had a bbq this past weekend for the ucf/marshall game,to those that were here and didnt know u it was just another game but to me it was my way of remebering you and not forgetting the sacrfice you made 2 years ago.They opened a new staduim on campus and I to will never step foot in there believing that is should have been Named in your honor!It seems everyone has moved on and forgotten but those close to you will never forget what happened on that day your life was taken.I still have soo much anger,and there is no justice or peace in the outcome.I guess with time my sadness will heal but i will never forget all the BBQs and great partys we had.We have had several since u left and there just not the same but everybody always makes a toast in your honor..Keep my Husband safe along with all our other officers out there.We love and miss you,until we meet again Dr.J RIP...

Bambi Darcey
Friend

November 9, 2007

Mario -

It's been nearly a year since my last posting for you on this site...and oddly enough, I'm sitting in the same off duty job parking lot as last time. UCF has seen some tremendous changes since you departed, both in staffing and on campus. I have yet to go to the new stadium - probably because the name "Bright House Stadium" doesn't sit well with me. In my mind it should be "Jenkins Memorial Stadium," so I think my boycott of the home games will remain in effect.

My partner is asleep in the back of my car...not nearly as vocal as in my last posting. Her manners are improving slightly, and she is finding a lot of dope lately, but I still wonder if she and Makye would have gotten along in a casual setting of us at a backyard BBQ or not. By the way, the last time my wife and I were out and heard the song "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere", we bought a round for anyone who wanted to toast your memory....best money I've spent at a bar in years!

A lot has changed, but a lot stays the same....we still miss you every day. Rest easy, brother Mario!

Cpl Tim Nazzaro & Narcotics K-9 Coco
Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office

October 17, 2007

May the good Lord assuage the anguish of this, your most outrageous fortune. On behalf of a grateful nation, a sober law enforcement community, and a saddened neighborhood, we pray that our heavily father takes Mario’s soul into his loving hands. Only you, the family of our fallen brother, fully understand the sacrifice that has been placed upon the alter of freedom.

Patrolman Todd James Vogler
CASE Western Reserve Univeristy Police Department, Cleveland, Ohio

October 12, 2007

Corporal, you are a hero. Rest in peace, Brother. I am honored to leave a reflection for you.

Deputy
Michigan

October 10, 2007

Just got home from work, after hearing about another officer who fell on one of the saddest September days. Hope your doing well in that station house above.

Sgt. James Roberts
FL Dept of Corrections

September 25, 2007

On the 2nd anniversary of Corporal Jenkins' death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Corporal Jenkins is not forgotten.

Agent Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

September 24, 2007

~Never forgotten~ Rest in peace. Please keep a watch over us all.

September 24, 2007

Devil Dawg:

Keep them in line, up there at Heaven's Gate.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

September 24, 2007

Mario,
Remembering you today and always. You are greatly missed.

Dory Schofield
Friend

September 24, 2007

Just wanted to let you and your family know that we have not forgotten the sacrifice you made this day two years ago. I know the sacrifice that your family makes everyday without you, I know they will think of you everyday and shed lots of tears, but we will never forget you, you are a hero.
I have my Blue Candles that burn 24/7 for all LEO's.

Connie Barker Ft. Walton Beach, Fl
Mother of Clint Walker Prattville, Al. E.O.W.1-14-04

September 24, 2007

Just thinking about you today. Watch out for us down here.

September 24, 2007

Mario,

It is difficult to believe you have been gone 2 yrs. Many of the best times I have had with good friends have been with you, be it in high school (with your notorious Pepe) or in Gainesville. Your humor, wit and personality will always be missed and never forgotten. God bless you always brother.

Joe Parra, friend

September 19, 2007

Mario,
I never got the honor of meeting you, however I did meet some of your co-workers last year at police week. It was ironic when I came on to ODMP today you were the featured officer and it hit me, the nights in D.C. talking to all the guys and just how much respect they had for you and just how sad they were at yor tradgic death. In my book you are the best kind of hero there is one who has the respect of his coworkers. Because when it comes down to it who else do we have when the crap gets deep but each other.

It was a great honor to talk to each and every person from your department and not a one of them could have been more proud of you.

REST IN PEACE BROTHER

R. THORNTON RETIREDE POLICE OFFICER

R. Thornton

September 6, 2007