Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Merry Christmas, miss you brother 404

Trooper Cory A Russell
THP

December 24, 2007

May God Bless you.

you are a credit to your uniform rest in peace

Desmond Goulding
retired Local Government Law Enforcement officer Australia

December 23, 2007

Calvin,
I've spent the last hour reading every page of your reflections. While I never met you or your family, it is impossible not to see how much you meant to those around you. As the Holiday season nears keep watch over your bride and entire family. Know that folks just like myself are feeling just a piece of the heartache Sarah Beth is feeling, and are praying for her and your entire family throughout the year. While your time here was cut short, I have no doubt you lived every moment to the fullest. Blessings to you and your family Calvin.

Caleb Stitely - Citizen
Harrisonburg, VA

December 20, 2007

IT'S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR SINCE YOU LEFT US. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE MANY WEEKS YOU BLESSED ALL OF OUR LIVES AT THE ACADEMY. YOU ALWAYS HAD THAT SILLY GRIN, NO MATTER WHAT. WE ALL MISS YOU, BUT KNOW AND PRAY YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE. GOD BLESS THE FAMILY YOU HAD TO LEAVE BEHIND. WE WILL KEEP UP THE SHIFT WORK UNTIL WE ARE ABLE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

CLASS 404

TROOPER DANNY FISHER
CLASSMATE

December 16, 2007

Calvin,

Yeah I am back again, but this time with a different rank. Before I was just another citizen and well I still am, but now just with a police title. It is because of you and many others like you who have given your life for the citizens that I am persuing this dream of becoming a Law Enforcement Officer. I think about you so often and I don't know why because I never met you, but all the time I spend reading your reflections it seems I get to know a little more about you each time. Watch over your family and know this Christmas will be hard for them, but everyone knows you will be with them in spirt. Merry Christmas. God Speed.

Chief Cadet Clymer
Erick Police Cadet Explorers

December 16, 2007

To the family of Trooper Jenks: My sincerest sympathy goes out to your family and to all Tennessee State Troopers. It is a sad to see any officer loose their life doing a job that they love. Justice was not served regarding one of the defendants. Trooper Jenks nor his ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten. God’s speed Trooper Jenks.

R.C. Bridges
Memphis Police Department Ret.

December 14, 2007

Hey Calvin. Well, I guess you know the verdict in court yesterday. Unfortunately, that is our wonderful judicial system. It is so unfair. The one thing that helps me to cope with this is the fact that one day, that "so-called human" will have to answer to a MUCH higher person that we have here on this earth and it is not going to be good. Take care Calvin and continue to embrace your family during this time.

December 14, 2007

It's sad we had to lose you so we could get a piece of trash off the streets.

Darrell Cook Retired Police Tennessee

December 13, 2007

Mrs. Jenks, Family and Friends,

As the widow of a Deputy Sheriff, let me first say that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I would like you to know that you are being thought of by your extended law enforcement family here in Florida and we are sending you our strength from across the Gulf.

My husband, Lake County Deputy Wayne Koester, was ambushed and murdered in 2005 by multiple shotgun wounds while on a domestic violence call. As you are experiencing now, we too had to go through a trial for his killer. We went through months of court proceedings and hearings, followed by days of jury selections. Then finally, the trial was finally upon us. The inevitable was here. After 15 months and 8 days, I was about to come face to face with the one who killed my husband. Looking back, I truly thought I was ready as I walked into that courtroom. I was wrong. As I read in one of the last reflections, I know that Trooper Jenks’s video tape was played at the beginning of the trial. I deeply hurt for you because I know the pain and anguish it caused all of you. No one can possibly prepare you enough for what you will hear or see first hand. You believe it in your heart that you want to know everything, until the “everything” is upon you. I wish there was some way to ease the pain for the families who have to go through this in the future, if even just a fraction, for the details leave you devastated.

Then comes the end. The “Victim Impact Statement”. You have to take the stand and testify to the jury and the world in mere words about the loss that you have experienced. That was one the hardest things I have ever done in my entire life. I’m sure it was for you as well. However, it’s the one real time in the trial where the “victim” becomes more than just a name in a death report or face in a photograph. The jury is able to hear from his family what kind of person he was and how much he is loved and missed. Please now that when the time comes or if has come already to take the stand, know that Calvin is right by your side. He will provide you with the strength you need to get through the emotional testimony as my husband was for me.

After 16 months, the jury found my husband’s killer guilty and sentenced him to death. Society provided their justice for a killer who took away a husband and father. I can honestly say that even though it took so long for the decision, I am still grateful. I'm grateful that we were able to put closure to this, when so many families wait years to find and convict the person who took their family members life or who never find them at all. I cannot comprehend how some families never get the chance because their killers are never caught. It’s a blessing in away, because we were one of the fortunate one’s to have our closure as I hope you will find yours as well.

Reporters still ask as I’m sure they will with you, whether we can ever forgive him for what he did. I have been having a lot of issues with that. How can I forgive the man who has taken my husband away? That is the question I have been struggling with since this all started. For some, the answer is easy. Never!! For others, they find it in their hearts to forgive. I simply told them that it was not up to me to forgive him, for he will have to answer to a higher power.

I’d like to leave you with three simply little words that have helped me. Three words that can sum up what a person's life can be about. Live, Laugh and Love.... LIVE each and everyday as if there is no tomorrow and surround yourself with all the gifts life can bring. LAUGH at everything including yourself for humor can be found in every situation good or bad, and LOVE. Love with everything you have, for we know all to well that you may never get another chance.

Volusia Co. Deputy Ashley Koester
Widow of Lake Co. Deputy Wayne Koester Eow 02-09-2005

December 13, 2007

Calvin,
Please continue to watch over your family during this time. I pray that justice will be done and that your family can be at peace with the decision.

You will never know how much you are missed here on earth. Continue your duties in heaven until we all meet again.

December 12, 2007

Calvin,

As I'm sure you already know, they started the trial for Orlando Garcia yesterday. My heart went out to Sarah Beth, having to get on the stand. I have cried on and off all day yesterday and started up again today. I hope you know how much you are loved and missed. Keep watch over Sarah Beth and your family....they need you more than ever right now! Just know you will never be far from our minds....always in our hearts.

December 11, 2007

Well Calvin, you'd have been proud of Sarah Beth today. She did real good on the stand. I wasn't able to make it over there today, but plan on being there Wednesday to show my support for your family. Today was surely tough, as they showed the video in open court. Protect and comfort them as they sit through this trial...so close to their first Christmas without you.

December 10, 2007

Well, the jury was picked for the trial today. I just pray that justice will be done to these two cowards. Please watch over Sarah and the rest of your family during this most difficult time.

Tennessee

December 10, 2007

TROOPER AS YOUR SHIELD IS RETIRED FROM YOUR HEART KNOW THAT YOUR WINGS ARE AFFIXED . YOU WERE WHAT IS THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL. MAY YOU RIDE SHOTGUN WITH VERY TROOPER AND WALK WITH EVERY CADET FOR YOU ARE THIER GUARDIAN, REST IN PEACE BROTHER

JASON LEA
FUTURE LEO

December 6, 2007

Thank you for your service. You will be missed. My prayers go out to your family and fellow officers.

Brother in Law Enforcement

December 5, 2007

God bless you Trooper Jenks for your bravery! My prayers are with your family and friends that lost such an amazing person! You are a true hero! Thank you for your service here on earth! I know that you are continuing your tour in a much better place!

Dana Overton
Cousin to the late Deputy Mike Pace

December 2, 2007

My prayers go out to you and your family. Watch over us brother. Godspeed

Ofc Spencer
Nashville Metro Police Department

November 28, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving Calvin. I am sure you are having a feast like no other. You are missed.

November 22, 2007

Calvin, I was just looking through some of the memorials here and I saw your picture and was reminded of that awful night. Its been alomst a year and I still remember how the world seemed stop when the dispatcher gave out the BOLO and reported the news. Our whole shift then dropped what they were doing and went straight to I-40 and joined the THP and other agencies in a massive manhunt for those who did this to you. I never knew you but I felt like I did. We are the same age, been in the job for the same amount of time, and from what I understand I was at TLETA at the same time you were at the Trooper Academy. Although our hearts were heavy to wear that black ribbon around our badges, I feel proud to be able to serve in the same profession as someone of your courage. Thank you for service my brother, for the greatness of heaven is your reward. We'll try to keep a handle on things down here and we pray for your family everyday. God Speed.

sheriff deputy

November 20, 2007

Calvin, I was just taking a break while deployed here in Afghanistan and got to thinking about the academy, work, and home. I left Todd a message and got to thinking about you as well. We will never forget you, brother. God bless your family.

SFC Grant Montgomery
US Army-Afghanistan

November 19, 2007

Calvin,

I found myself thinking of you so much this week. I had to be up at the academy this week, and they have your picture, and pictures from the funeral up on the wall when you first come in. I couldn't help but miss you more. You would be truly amazed at how much the department has done to make sure we remember the sacrifice you made that night, almost a year ago.

I was asking about Sarah Beth, and hear she's doing well, although I'm sure she misses you something awful.

Just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you...everyday, but more so this past week. Keep the streets of heaven safe for the rest of us when we get there.

November 17, 2007

Hey Calvin. I went by the cemetary today just to talk to you for a sec. I don't know how long your headstone has been there but today was the first time I had seen it. IT IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. Your family did a superb job and I know that you are so proud of them. It is so hard to believe that it has been almost a year since that awful day. You are missed so much and by so many. You made such an impact on people's lives.

Keep watch over us all until we meet again.

In Christ Love.

November 16, 2007

Trooper Jenkins,
In your death, and all who have gone before you, you strengthen all of us here to continue on till we have the pleasure of meeting you face to face. Until recently I served as a County Deputy. I left the profession to seek self employment in the private sector, and to run from my own fears. However, for the past few months my heart has let me know loud and clear that this is not my place. My place is out there where you and so many others served, and gave it all. I have now come face to face with my fears, the same fears that you had to look in the eye. Calvin, I did not know you but in death you give me strength to do what I was called to do. We all must realize that our time here is short, but we also must not focus on that time, but how it was spent. You spent yours well my friend. You are a Hero.

Thank you.

ex-Deputy, Robert

November 15, 2007

Gone But Not Forgotten!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trooper Charlie Caplinger
THP

November 14, 2007

Hey Calvin. Just stopping by to say hello. I saw your mom the other day at the store and your little brother. Your mom just looks so lost. I hope Sarah Beth is doing okay. I have not seen here since they dedicated part of the highway in your honor. Take care and keep look over all of us here on earth.

Until we meet again.....

November 14, 2007