Jenkin Remembering That Faithful Day

June 9th, 2014

“I will forever remember that eventful day in my life that changed everything. It had started as a perfectly normal day, but the ending was my worst nightmare. As an officer, there is one thing that you do not want to hear come over the radio: ‘Officer Down.’ I had been an officer for many years and had never heard that said, and I hope to never hear it again.

“It was a routine day, and I was patrolling the area I was assigned that day. It was an unusually cool day for July, but I honestly could not be happier for the weather. It is never fun to wear all of our gear on a hot day as I am sure you would agree.

“I was just getting ready to stop and buy a group of kids playing basketball some cool drinks and ice cream when the radio was suddenly filled with static. While this is not uncommon, for some reason I was instantly filled with dread.

"That is when those words were said, and the voice that said it made it that much worse. Officer Davis was my mentor. He is a fun, happy guy that always tries to get the people around him to smile.

"Now, as some of you know, he can also be extremely serious. That day though was the first time I have ever heard his voice show any kind of fear. I can honestly say that I never want to hear it again.

"I instantly headed towards his location, and on the way, I tried to remember what kind of call he was on. I wracked my brain and finally remembered that the call had been about a suspicious package that was discovered in a park.

"Most of the time, these kinds of calls end up being nothing. People are all the time leaving their belongings behind, especially parents who have children to handle.

"I wish it had been that simple, but luck wasn't on our side that day. That day, the package had been a drug drop, and it did not go down as planned.

"I was about a block away from the park when I heard the gunshots and saw people fleeing. I quickly got on the radio and reported what was going on. Dispatch came back and told me where I could find Officer Davis.

"When I pulled up and saw him laid out behind his car, I thought I was going to be recovering the body of a fallen comrade. I made sure to park my car practically against his, giving me cover to get to him.

"When I got out of the car and worked my way to him, I felt my heart stop. I have never been happier to see him hold up his typical peace sign, and we all know how annoying he can be with it.

"Using the cover of our cars, I made quick work of applying pressure to the gunshot wound he had in his shoulder.

"Even if I had known what was about to happen, I still would have helped him first. For you see, as I was distracted, one of the guys was able to sneak around the car to get a clear shot on us.

"If Officer Davis had not pulled me down when he did, I wouldn't be here right now. Doctors said the bullet would have been fatal.

"Thanks to Officer Davis, I am standing in front of you today. Yes, I might have lost my eye and can no longer be out there with you guys, but I do not regret for a minute what I did that day.

"That is why it is my honor to present this Medal of Valor to Officer Davis for the bravery he showed that day. I can never thank you enough for what you did. You were hurt, and yet you thought of my safety first."

Officer Jenkin's speech was one of the hardest things for many people to hear as it is a miracle both of these officers were still alive to this day. Officer Jenkin was also awarded the Medal of Valor that day.

The men involved in the shooting were all taken into custody, and the drug unit was able to track down the person who had left the suspicious package wrapped in brown paper that forever changed the lives of these two brave officers.