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JENKINS, OFFICER MARIO August 1, 1976 - September 24, 2005 Mario Jenkins was born in Lansing, Michigan on August 1, 1976. He moved to Tarpon Springs, Florida with his parents as a toddler. Mario spent his childhood in Tarpon Springs, where he attended school and graduated in 1994 from Tarpon Springs High School. Throughout his childhood, Mario was involved in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, soccer, baseball, junior Sponger football, and high school football. He also served as an alter boy at his church and a peer mediator at Tarpon Springs Middle School. Mario was awarded Tarpon Springs High School Student of the month in May 1994. As a young boy he dreamed of being a Marine. After graduating from high school Mario joined the United States Marine Corps where he served both active and reserve duty for the next six years and received an honorable discharge. While in the Marine Reserves, Mario also attended Santa Fe Community College, Gainesville where he pursued his Associate Degree. He served as an intern on the staff of the Safety and Health Section at the Department of Veterans Affairs. It was in Gainesville where he met the love of his life, his soul-mate Valerie Vaughn. In 2000, Mario attended the SFCC Institute of Public Safety Police Academy. At the Police Academy Mario served as Class # 71's Master Sergeant. Also in 2000, Mario began his law enforcement career with the Clermont Police Department, which brought the now engaged couple to the Orlando area. Mario and Valerie were married April 13, 2001 at Leu Gardens in Winter Park. Supported by his wife and family, in 2001 Mario joined the University Of Central Florida Police Department where he proudly served as a patrol officer, SWAT Sniper and his current position as a K-9 Officer with K-9 partner Makye. Mario was a dedicated and committed police officer. He was known for his friendliness, enthusiasm and dedication to duty and his devotion to his wife and friends. Helping others was always something that came naturally to Mario. He served as a mentor to the youth at the Tarpon Springs Boys and Girls Club, organized the Marine Color Guard for the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Tarpon Springs Sports Complex and served as a Jr. Recruiter for the U.S. Marine Corps. Mario was a charter member of Phi Phi Sigma National Veterans Fraternity, a member of the Central Florida PBA, and a member of the Florida SWAT Association. Mario is survived by his wife and soul-mate Valerie Jenkins of Orlando, his loving parents, Franc and Ramona Jenkins, grandmother Aurora Rodriquez all of Tarpon Springs, uncles and aunts Rudy and Benita Jenkins, Michael and Pepita Calendar all of Michigan, his father and mother in-law Harold and Dolores Vaughn of Bushnell, his brother-in-law, Richard Vaughn of Gainesville, many cousins throughout the country as well as his law enforcement brothers and sisters of the UCF Police Department. A Police Funeral Service will be held at First Baptist Church of Orlando, 3701 L. B. McLeod Rd. on Saturday, October 1st. at 10AM. In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to the Mario Jenkins Memorial Fund at any Sun Trust Bank location. Funeral arrangements are being handled through Woodlawn Funeral Home, 407-293- 1361.
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Val,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I never met your husband & haven't s/w you since school. You are a strong person & will get thru this tragedy. Pls do not hesistate to contact me for anything.
Carla
Carla Lasky Prevatt
October 24, 2005
I am deeply sorry for your loss.
Matthew Roy
October 5, 2005
With deepest sympathy. My prayer is for the family for strength.
Alexian Pinder
October 3, 2005
I read today in the Central Florida Future that you helped a lot of kids out around here and what not...Im sorry i never knew you....may you find eternal life everlasting...
Jessica
October 3, 2005
I just wanted to express my heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Officer Jenkins and his UCF police department family as well. May God give you all strength in this very difficult time to push through the pain and hold close all the good memories you shared before that horrible tragic day.God Bless.
Salli
October 3, 2005
D/S CAMPBELL
October 3, 2005
My prayers go out to the family in this time of sadness. God bless you all.
kim codner
October 2, 2005
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mario's family, friends and fellow
officers.
Bill & Shirley Mitchell {parents of Todd}
October 1, 2005
We are sorry about your loss. Our prayers are with you. Mrs.Jenkins God Bless You and remember Gods promise you will be reunited with your husband again for eternity in heaven. God Bless
Wanda
September 30, 2005
My thoughts and prayers are with all of mario's family and friends. god Bless all of you. Franc and Ramona my deepest sympathy and love you both Carol
carol Juriga
September 30, 2005
As a 20-year veteran staff member at UCF, I have always considered the UCF community as part of my extended family. I did not know know Officer Jenkins personally but I feel as if I've lost one of my own. To Officer Jenkins family, friends and fellow officers: you all are in my thoughts and prayers and may God bring you the comfort you need during this difficult time.
Tracy Balkham
September 30, 2005
God Speed..............
Ken Ergle
September 30, 2005
Please know that my prayers are with you and your family daily.
Ed Wyka
September 30, 2005
Our thoughts are with Val at this very sad time. We did not know Mario but Val is a friend of our daughters and we share in this sadness with both families.
Sandie and John Howes
Sandie and John Howes
September 30, 2005
I have proudly worked with law enforcement officers (LEOs) for many years, and this is something that I am always afraid of happening to one of "my students". I did not have the privilege of knowing Mario personally, but have great respect for what he did, and expect that he will be looking over LEOs from above. I know many of the officers from the UCFPD, and know that they miss you terribly. I want to THANK YOU for all you have done, and for watching out for your fellow officers. LEOs don't get thanked enough for all that they do. We need to remember to do that more often. Mario, you left us too soon. I would have loved to have met you and been able to thank you for all you have done.
Debbie Phillis
September 30, 2005
While working at the BP Amoco on Alafaya and Corporate Blvd I had the opportunity to get to know such a great person in Mario Jenkins, his bright and easy going personality made him one of my favorite cops to talk with to help my day pass. I will miss the guy and always remember the kind of person he was.
-Peace out Mario
Zetroy Hendrix
September 30, 2005
May God's love envelop and protect Mario's family during this time. Please know that the Lord is close to those whose hearts are breaking. During my 20 years working at UCF, I never met a more warm and caring individual. He is, and will be sorely missed.
Sharon Salamacha
September 30, 2005
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Val. She is handling this with the dignity and grace of a true officer's wife. Although we did not know Mario all that well, we have known Val for many years. Knowing what a wonderful person Val is - we know that Mario must have been just as great as Val is. We extend our support and prayers to Val for many years to come - and invite her to call on us whenever she needs.
Amy MacLeod
September 30, 2005
I don't know your family personally, but my prayers are with you and my heart aches for your loss. I pray you find peace in this time. Jana Bridges
jana bridgej6
September 30, 2005
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