Fallen Hero - Corporal Thomas Paul Jensen (03/09/10)

       

        Let us pause to remember our Fallen Hero, Corporal Thomas Paul Jensen #2853, lost this day in 2010 as a result of injuries sustained 10 days earlier while responding to an emergency call for service in Baker Sector.

       Cpl. Jensen, affectionately known as 'Tommy', was born on May 26, 1982 at Prince George's Hospital Center in Cheverly, Maryland.  He was raised in Hyattsville, Maryland and attended DeMatha Catholic High School, graduating in the year 2000.  Cpl. Jensen joined the Prince George's County Police Department on September 20, 2004, as a member of Session #103, following in the footsteps of his father, retired Sgt. Thomas Jensen.  Upon completion of his Academy training, Cpl. Jensen was assigned to District I, Squad 42.  He subsequently served in the District I Investigative Section and on Squad 52, where he received the Department's Award of Merit for his key role in the June 20, 2008, apprehension of two armed robbery suspects.  On November 8, 2009, Cpl. Jensen began what would prove to be his final assignment when he was transferred to Squad 22.  He immediately established himself as an integral member of our unit, a leader among his colleagues, and a mentor to young squad members who were in the opening chapters of their careers.

       On the morning of February 27, 2010, members of Squad 22 were dispatched to a breaking & entering in progress on Kenilworth Avenue in which the suspect was under the influence of PCP.  Cpl. Jensen immediately volunteered for the assignment and proceeded southbound on Baltimore Avenue towards the location of incident.  At 0655 hours, as he crossed the overpass to University Boulevard in College Park, Maryland, Cpl. Jensen's police vehicle struck a patch of ice, causing him to lose control and strike a utility pole.  He was transported to Prince George's Hospital Center with severe injuries to his head, neck, and respiratory system as a result of the single vehicle collision.   Cpl. Jensen courageously battled his injuries for the next ten days before succumbing at 2122 hours on the evening of March 9, 2010.  

       Cpl. Jensen served the Prince George's County Police Department for 5 1/2 years and was the 26th member of this Agency to make the Ultimate Sacrifice.  He was the 49th law enforcement officer to give his life in service to this Profession within Prince George's County, Maryland.

       At the time of his death, Corporal Thomas Paul Jensen was 27 years old and survived by his wife of four months, Kristelle, and his parents.