Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It is hard to believe it has been 29 years since you were taken from us. I learned so much from you and valued our friendship so much. You are greatly missed. We will see each other again one day. Until then I know you are watching over us all.

Danielle Lajoie Marchione
Family Friend

July 1, 2024

Thank you for your service sir.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

January 1, 2021

Trooper Jennings,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Florida. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

June 30, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

June 30, 2020

Rest in peace Trooper Jennings.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 28, 2020

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 4, 2015

You have not been forgotten Trooper. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones and those still out on patrol. Thank you for your dedicated service.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

June 30, 2012

To Trooper Jennings son, may you know that we have not and will not forget your hero... May God continue to be with you and your family and guide you. Trooper Jennings, you sir are a hero we will never forget... Continue to rest in peace.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

June 30, 2012

Rest in Peace, Trooper Jennings. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 9, 2012

Don: It is hard to believe that you are no longer with us. I think of you often, and can still remember all the weeks (13 weeks) we spent together as room mates in the FHP Academy, the push ups we did together... "your other left Jennings" yelled the instructors while we marched around the academy grounds'. Those were the days I will cherish, when passing the weekly test and qualifying with the revolvers were our biggest concerns. I'm one of the lucky persons that knew you well and spent time with you in Miami as your zone partner too. I knew whenever I had to look for you, you would be by the 874 Toll catching them folks, your favorite "honey hole". Some day I'd like to sit down with your son tell him some war stories and share some pictures of his DAD when we were at the academy so long ago, although it seems like yesterday. Thanks for watching over me while I continue our choosen profession. Your Friend Always,

Sergeant Raimundo Llorente
Florida Highway Patrol

August 2, 2010

I meet Don only once a few short weeks before his passing. There was a district meeting at Marks park and i asked my husband if i could tag a long. It was one of the first times we took our new daughter out of the house. Don was one of the first Troopers to come over and ask to hold her. He told me his wife was due soon and that they knew it was a boy. He looked so happy and sounded to excited. I can still see his smile today and hear him as i walked away telling me to take good care of that baby.

Tammy Perez
Wife of retired FHP Trooper Miguel M. Perez

November 15, 2008

Don,
I remember releiving you from an off-duty job we were working at the Pompano Service Plaza, on Florida's Turnpike. You had worked the afternoon shift, and I was settling in for the midnight shift. We talked for a while, catching up on the usual b.s. about work etc., then we switched to the really important topic. Your and your wife's baby was due to be born soon, and you were so excited. I remember the look on your face and the big smile you had while you were talking about it, and not having any kids myself at the time, I could only imagine how proud you were. We said our goodbyes, you left, and then a week later you were taken from us. You were a good trooper and good person. I miss you.

Trooper Charles Patten, Jr.
Florida Highway Patrol

July 6, 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 12, 2007

Rest in peace .

Trooper Barrios
Florida Highway Patrol

October 8, 2007

DEAR UNCLE DONALD,

WHERE DO I START? EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE BEEN GONE FOR 12 YEARS, I STILL MISS YOU THE SAME. I CAN STILL REMEMBER THAT DAY WE WERE IN THE MALL YOU SAW A TWEETY BIRD SHIRT AND YOU JUST HAD TO BUT IT FOR ME, BECAUSE YOU SAID THE BIRD LOOK JUST LIKE ME. GOD CALLED YOU HOME ON MY 11TH BIRTHDAY AND AT FIRST I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY. BUT NOW THAT I'M OLDER I FULLY UNDERSTAND AND KNOW THAT IT WAS YOUR TIME AND WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN IN HEAVEN. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME LITERALLY TALKING TO YOU THROUGH LETTER SO BARE WITH ME. I JUST BRIEFLY WOULD LIKE TO SAY IT AMAZES ME HOW YOUR SON, CHRIS, NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO MEET YOU IN THIS LIFE, BUT HE ACT, TALK, WALK, AND DANCES JUST LIKE YOU (EX: HE DOES NOT LIKE HIS DRINKS WITH ICE OR REFRIDGERATED). HE IS MY ORANGE YELLOW BIG BOY BABY AND I WILL ALWAYS LOOK AFTER HIM LIKE YOU DID WITH US (AND AUNTIE SHELL). OF COURSE MY AUNT STILL MISSES YOU EVERYDAY, SHE IS FINALLY LETTING GO OF YOUR CAR THAT YOU WOULD HAVE PROBABLY LET GO OF THAT SAME YEAR. I KNOW YOU ARE PROUD OF "ESTHER ROLLE" WITH EVERYTHING SHE HAS AND WILL ACCOMPLISH. YOU WILL ALWAYS AND FOREVER BE IN MY HEART AND MIND AND I LOVE YOU DEARLY. NOW THAT I AM IN EMS I CAN RELAY IN 10 CODES.I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU AND EAGERLY AWAIT THE DAY THAT WE 10-56 AGAIN. 10-23 UNCLE DONALD, YOU ARE NOT 10-7, YOU ARE NOW 10-8 WITH TONES AND WINGS IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU VERY MUCH. BY THE WAY THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.

LACHERYL SPARKS
NIECE, EMERGENCY MEDICAL DISPATCHER

August 5, 2007

To Trooper Jennings, his loved ones, and his fellow officers:

On this the eleventh anniversary day of your tragic death, please know that you are remembered and honored today.

Reading the reflections left for you lets me know how well-loved and well-respected you are, and how dearly you are missed.

I share the agony of your loved ones as I lost my beloved youngest son when he was murdered during a foot pursuit of two robbers on April 23, 2005. My son Larry was also killed while he and his wife were awaiting the birth of their first child. Like Donald's son, my grandson Cody was born after his dad was killed and only gets to know his father through the loving memories of other. I am awed by your courage and dedication, Donald, and so sorry that your life ended at such a young age.

Donald, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

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, Donald. Your memory is honored and revered today and everyday.

This respect is sent with the utmpost respect for the service Donald gave to his country and to his community as a police officer, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on June 30, 1995.

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

July 1, 2006

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.

June 30, 2006

Don is missed very much. I wish he was alive to see his son born so shortly after your passing. With each year that passes he looks more and more like his father.

July 25, 2005

"Dear God, I miss my Daddy"


Dear God, I Miss My Daddy
My daddy is a policeman, he wears a suit of blue;
he didn't come home from work last night,
mommy says he's in heaven with you.

I'm worried about my daddy Lord,
he's never been away this long before;
mommy cried when she told me we that wouldn't see daddy no more
I don't know what it was that mommy was trying to explain;
she said the police were after a bad man, and somehow my daddy was slain.

Now I don't know what that means Lord, all I know is we miss daddy a lot;
because tomorrow is my birthday, and I sure hope he hasn't forgot.
Lord if my daddy is up there in heaven, please tell him as soon as he is free;
to hurry back home as fast as he can, because we miss him, mommy and me.

Thank you God,

Amen

July 25, 2005

Don is missed very much. I wish he was alive to see his son born so shortly after your passing. With each year that passes he looks more and more like his father.

July 25, 2005

Jennings:

You always had a smile and I still remember that laugh. Although we never worked the same zone, I am very proud and fortunate to have known you. May God bless you and your family.

Trooper Beni Durden
Florida Highway Patrol

June 2, 2005

~~~Eternally and Always~~~

I didn't get to say goodbye
You're gone without a reason why
I've loved you all of my life
and then you weren't there

I didn't get a chance to say
how much I cared
I can't even remember the tears
that I cried
All I really wanted was to tell you
Goodbye

When I last saw you I felt I wouldn't
see you again
There was a distance between us
that I couldn't explain
You wouldn't look
at me but I could see the tears
in your eyes
If you knew then
You should have told me
Then I could have said
Goodbye

So many words left unspoken
So many hearts left so broken
My love for you is forever
And that will never die
We'll be together always
Our souls are one with God
Eternally and Always
I'll never have to say
Goodbye

Anonymous

February 1, 2005

I never met Trooper Jennings personally. I spoke to him via telephone once or twice. However I've known his son Jason Jennings from birth. I've also known Jason's mother since she was small. Jason is a Member of my church where he serves on the Usher Board. My pastor and I baptised Jason. Jason graduates from Holmes County High this month (May'04). He's a fine young man. I always tell Jason his dad was a fine man. I wish he were alive to see his only son graduate.

Jimmy Jackson(former Metropolitan PD/Was
N/a

May 21, 2004

Thank you for giving everything you had to serve and protect, my prayers go out to your family

police oficer Mike Akins
rolla police department rolla kansas

February 29, 2004

Trooper D.Jennings you will never be forgotten. May God bless your family. Rest in peace my brother.

Aux. Trooper Bryant Thornton
Florida Highway Patrol

December 22, 2003