Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Prince George's County Police Cpl. Thomas Jensen Laid to Rest

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - Friends, family, and fellow officers said an emotional goodbye Monday to a Prince George's County police officer who was killed while doing his job.

Officer Thomas P. Jensen was injured on Feb. 27 when his cruiser hit a patch of ice and struck a utility pole on Route 1 in College Park while he was on a call for a burglar under the influence of PCP. He died 10 days later.

Monday, Officer Jensen was laid to rest with all the formality and ceremony called for by custom and protocol when an officer dies in the line of duty. But to hear his friends tell it at the funeral, Tommy Jensen was hardly one for formality.

According to Sgt. Manuel Riveria, "The first thing about him that made me bond with him was his passion..and his sick twisted sense of humor. I love to laugh and he really made me laugh."

The 6'6", 27-year-old was known as a gentle giant. Jenson was born to be a cop, following in his father's footsteps. He was a local boy, a DeMatha grad who loved ice hockey.

His friend, Officer Mike Ebaugh said, "Tom was joyful, he was witty, he had a colossal personality."

He was also a newlywed. He and Kristelle were married just five months ago. It was a powerful moment Monday when his sergeant spoke directly to his widow.

"I promised you we would never ever leave you. Squad 22 stand up. Can I have every police officer stand up?" the sergeant said as officers stood. "We will never ever leave you."

Jensen was a 5½ year veteran of the Prince George's County Police Department. He is the 26th officer to die in the line of duty in Prince George's County.









Article from ABC 7 News
Photos courtesy of  Prince George's County Police

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