Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

That smile of your's still brightens my day, Thank You for showing me how to enjoy life.
Missing you

Anonymous

I just graduated from the Criminal Investigator Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center on Thursday, Febuary 6, 2003. It was a very happy occasion. Afterward, a DT instructor here who had been one of my primary instructors back in 1998 at the Hampton Roads Regional Academy, came up to me and told me that a former classmate of mine - a Norfolk, VA officer - had been shot & killed in the line of duty (see "Officer Herring" on this website) on Jan 16, 2003.

In a second, my world began to spin... again. I reminded him that I had been a recruit in his class when Trooper Jessica Cheney had been killed. I saw in his eyes that he remembered, because it was during morning inspection. All the recruits were standing at attention, when they were told to render a hand salute for the trooper that had been killed over the weekend. I calmly complied. Then they stated the name. That was the first time I heard about Jessica. In a second, my world began to spin.

The next thing I remember is the instructor asking me why I was still standing there when the rest of the class had left. It was then that both of us noticed my tears, streaming down my face. I just couldn't drop the salute. He soon found out why.

Jessica had been a classmate of mine at J. Sgt. Reynolds Community College, and we had graduated together from the Criminal Justice program. We had sat through many hours of classroom time, again and again. We were in the Criminal Justice Students Assoc. together. I instantly remembered her at the CJSA carwash where we tried to raise money for something or other. She had been not only the "life of the party", but the defacto leader and motivator. She was something else, alright.

Now, I will have to where black on my badge for a friend, again... for Sheila.

The DT instructor told me about this website, so I came looking for Sheila's page, but the pain is too great right now to put into words how I felt about my old academy classmate. Then something made me look up Jessica's page. I feel it necessary to write something now about Jessica.

Jessica, I miss you

To Jessica's family:
Know that people that you don't know, or only met once at a funeral, are still thinking about Jessica. And now I think I can share a secret with you.

Every time that I have had a situation that was dangerous and I could have been seriously injured or killed, but wasn't, I've thanked Jessica. I know that she's one of the angels now, and that she's helping look after all her friend that are still "on the job"....

No, we have not forgotten her, and never will.

Mark Hakey
US Customs Service

THE POLICEMAN’S LAST ROLE CALL

THE POLICEMAN STOOD AND FACED HIS GOD, WHICH MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS. HE HOPED HIS SHOES WERE SHINING, JUST AS BRIGHTLY AS HIS BRASS. "STEP FORWARD NOW, POLICEMAN. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER CHEEK? TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"

THE POLICEMAN SQUARED his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain’t. Because those of us who carry badges can’t always be a Saint. I’ve had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I’ve been violent because the streets are awfully tough. But I never took a penny that wasn’t mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept many unmanly tears. I know I don’t deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around except to calm their fear. If you’ve a place for me Lord, it needn’t be so grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don’t, I’ll understand."


There was silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As the policeman waited quietly, for the judgement of his God. "Step forward now, policeman, you’ve borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven’s streets, you’ve done your time in hell."

You watch here is over. Rest in peace SISTER.
To the family my condolences, no one knows your pain.
May God heal your pain quickly.

Recruit Don Reichhardt
60th Basic Police Academy
Crater Criminal Justice Academy
Prince George, Va.

Officer Don Reichhardt
Virginia State University Police Department

On the first day of our basic academy, I remember seeing Jessica. I remember wondering how such a small person would make it in the world of law enforcement, let alone make it through the grueling 26 weeks that lay ahead of us. Little by little, she showed me and her classmates that her strength and courage were far larger than any of us thought possible. She always gave her all, and I cannot say that about everyone in our class. I was particularly impressed by her effort and ability in our Defensive Tactics class. Even F/Sgt. Kvasnicka didn't scare her.
I wish that I could've worked with you Jessica. You were apparently one outstanding Trooper.
"93rd Basic Session, Honor and Pride Never Subside" God Bless and be 10-42 in peace

A fellow academy classmate
Virginia State Police