Mario Jenkins

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.