The Syracuse Police honored their colleague Officer Michael Jensen Monday at Forman Park, laying a wreath and retiring his badge before unveiling his name alongside eleven other fallen officers who were killed in the line of duty. Standing in front of Jensen’s image and an American flag hung high by fire trucks, Police Chief Joe Cecile acknowledged the various stages of grief and sorrow the officers are facing, while finding their inner-strength. He asked them to honor Jensen daily as they carry on their jobs.
“You will stand tall, you will stand proud," Cecile said. "You will put on the same uniform and badge that Officer Jensen was so proud to wear. And you will hit the streets and honor him by doing exactly what he was doing the night he gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
Cecile also asked the officers to look-out and care for each other.
“When you see one of your fellow officers doubled over from the burden of their oath, when you see one of your fellow officers go down on bended knee; you will be at their side, helping them back… encouraging them with words and comfort," Cecile said.
Every time they help each other, he said, Officer Jensen is there saying, ‘Job well done.’”
Mayor Ben Walsh thanked all city police officers - past and present - and, especially the Jensen family for, in his words, “handling an inconceivable tragedy with grace and love.”
This week marks National Police Week.
