Trooper Donald E. Jennings Florida Highway Patrol Florida Friday, June 30, 1995  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

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
2008-11-15

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
2008-07-06

"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
2007-12-12

Rest in peace .

Trooper Barrios
Florida Highway Patrol
2007-10-08

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
2007-08-05

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

2006-07-01

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.

2006-06-30

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.

2005-07-25

"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

2005-07-25

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.

2005-07-25

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
2005-06-02

~~~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

2005-02-01

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
2004-05-21

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
2004-02-29

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
2003-12-22

Rest in peace, not forgotten.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department