As a soloist sang “Danny Boy,” the Colorado Springs Police Honor Guard carried the casket of fallen officer Jared Jensen into New Life Church this afternoon.
Approximately 5,000 people attended the memorial service presided over by Brad Noonan, a Catholic chaplain with the Colorado Springs Fire Department.
“We assure you, Jared is OK,” Noonan told the congregation that filled most of the church. “He is at peace. We need to celebrate because the world is a better place because he was here.”
Before the ceremony began, a sea of uniforms filled the church lobby in colors of green, brown, blue, gray and black. Officers came from all corners of the state – Estes Park, Wheat Ridge, Thornton, Summit County, Silverthorne, Mesa County, and Salida, and more – to pay their respects to a their comrade.
“It’s a great honor,” observed Glory Boschert, a chaplain with the Colorado Springs Fire Department, regarding the show of support. “We pray for this never to happen.”
Jensen, 30, was shot and killed Wednesday as he tried to apprehend a stabbing suspect. His death was the first of a Colorado Springs officer in more than two decades.
Jensen’s widow, Natalie, took measured breaths and had tears streaming down her cheeks as she was escorted into the church. Inside, a group of 60 family members was flanked by an Honor Guard comprised of law enforcement officers from across Colorado.
“Most of us never get to choose how or when we will die, said Colorado Springs Police Chief Luiz Velez. “But we can all choose how we live. His last act was to confront malevolence. He knowingly placed himself between evil and the rest of the community.”
Velez said that last Thursday, the day after his death, Jensen’s sister Jonika Jensen Winkler gave birth to a baby girl named Faith J.S., the initials standing for her uncle, Jared Scott.
“Jared’s mom, Debby, used to refer to him as “my renaissance kid,” said Velez. “At age 3, he wanted to be a Dallas Cowboy quarterback. At age 5, he took on a 10-year-old bully, biting the bully’s finger so badly that he never bothered him again..By age 8, he wanted to be an actor.”
He was a poker player, reputed to be second-only to his brother, Jeff,” said Velez. “And he loved monkeys, so much so that when he and his bride got married and the ring bearer didn’t show up, they used a stuffed monkey for the ringbearer.”
Velez said Jensen was a NASCAR racing fan and avid golfer. He was also remembered for his love of animals, and his devotion to his three cats, Sebastian, Jake and Squeakers.
The memorial service was followed by a vehicle procession from the church to the Police Operations Center in downtown Colorado Springs.
Anita Carrillo, 46, of Colorado Springs, took the bus downtown to watch the procession.
Carrillo said Jensen responded to a domestic violence call to her home last spring. “This officer came to my house one time. When I called he was very nice,” Carrillo said.
Jensen was the ultimate professional during their brief encounter, Carrillo said. “It’s just so unfortunate,” she said.
A private reception for family, friends and peace officers at the Broadmoor Hotel was planned for later in the afternoon.
Personal tributes to officer Jensen can be left online, at: www.mem.com. Contributions may be made to the officer Jared Jensen Memorial Fund, in care of the Colorado Springs Credit Union, 426 S. Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
Denver Post staff writer Kieran Nicholson contributed to this story.
