Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Jenkins,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Besssemer City. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 2, 2022

Rest in peace Officer Jenkins.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 7, 2020

Mike was a wonderful man and police officer. Much to my dismay, the memorial honoring Mike and all the other memorials to slain officers are no longer on display in Pigeon Forge. The Carbo Museum does not exist any longer. We do not know what has happened to belongings of Officer Jenkins. His windowbox displayed his service revolver, the weapon that took his life, his badge, whistle and other things. If you are able to help locate these important items that should be on display in a police museum, please leave a reflection or contact me via email. It is shameful that these officers lost their lives in the line of duty and now to have their memorials removed without the families being notified. I spoke with a Pigeon Forge officer this year when we went to visit the museum (July 2011) and he said the owner, Mr. Carbo, sold the property but the officer did not know what happened to the memorials. The officer did not know the year the property was sold.

Bevely "Robbie" Neal Lovelace
sister-in-law

August 7, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today as we approach the 37th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to my home state and the birthplace of my son.

My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer. He was shot twice when ambushed on April 23rd when he was on a foot pursuit of two bank robbers, 33 years after you were killed.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

May 2, 2009

As a kid being 10 years old, I still remember the magazine article and pictures of this terrible incident. This fallen officer had the same last name as I. I thought Bessemer City was a far off place and did not realize until later in my teenage years it was just miles from where I lived. I never knew that one day I too would work at the Bessemer City Police Department in 1980's. During my tour of duty I would always stop weekly at both memorials to give me strength and remembrance of always trying to be safe while performing my duties. Many years have passed and I still go by the memorials to remember not just Bessemer City’s finest but all others who served us and still serve us.

Dean Jenkins
Sheriff's Office Gaston County

May 17, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

May 2, 2008

Officer Jenkins, on this 36th anniversary of your brutal murder I wish to say that your widow and all those you left behind are in my prayers. You did your job and paid the ultimate price for it at the hands of scum.

Though I honor you in this reflection, I also honor another Bessemer Officer who died on this same date. It’s a very sad and strange coincidence that two fine men from communities with the same name yet from two different states were murdered on the same date just five short years apart. You both are truly heroes.

God Bless and may you continue to Rest in Peace, Brother.

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

May 2, 2008

"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 26, 2007

I did not no you well but my father worked with you at kings mountain police dept. rest in peace my friend

lt joe king ret
cleveland county sheriffs dept

July 5, 2007

Heroes Live on Forever. "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9. God Speed my Brother..

Lt. R.T. Ernie Willis, Ret.
Cleveland Co. Sheriff's Office NC

April 27, 2007

Such a young man to give up his life.May you Rest in Peace.

May 2, 2006

I was only a tiny baby when Officer Jenkins was killed. I am sure the pain from his death is still very real today as it was then.

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 5, 2004