I still remember the first time I met Trooper Cheney. I was one of only a few people in the office at the time. I watched as all six new troops trickled out of the sergeant's office and into the trooper's work area. I noticed how all six stood together. I remembered what it felt like to be new in the area. I walked over to them and introduced myself. "Pleased to meet you, sir!" was the reply. The Virginia State Police Academy had trained them well. As we stood by the office mailboxes, I noticed I was now doing most of the talking, except for one. This trooper was clearly eager to get started and wasted no time asking questions. Revealed in those eyes was an excitement that I would soon see many times again. We finished talking and I headed for home. I left the office with more energy than I had when I first arrived. This trooper's enthusiasm was contagious. In just a short time, I had gone from "sir" to friend. I shall never forget this day. This was the day I met Trooper Jessica Cheney.
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Trooper Jessica J. Cheney |
Upon her arrival in Area 5, Fredericksburg, Trooper Cheney hit the ground running. She had good reason to be excited. Trooper Cheney had been planning this part of her life for some time now. As early as eighth grade, Jessica had made known her goal of becoming a Virginia State Trooper.
Jessica started on her career path while a sophomore at King William High School. She was hired in June 1990 at Paramount's King's Dominion, a large commercial amusement park located in Hanover, Virginia. Jessica worked as a communication’s dispatcher for three years. In June 1993 Jessica was sworn in as a Special Park Police Officer of Hanover County. A bike patrol security unit was formed at the park in June 1995. Jessica was among the first to serve in this unit.
As a high school junior, Jessica applied for acceptance to the Virginia State Police Junior Law Cadet Program and was selected to attend. Trooper Cheney graduated the Junior Law Cadet Program in June 1991. Trooper Cheney was the first person to ever graduate from the Junior Law Cadet Program and then return to become a Virginia State Trooper.
In May 1995, Jessica graduated from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College with an Associate's Degree in Administration of Justice.
In November 1994, Jessica began her first employment with the Department of State Police. She was hired as a call-taker in the communications room at Division I, Richmond. Jessica served in this capacity until June 1995. It was during this time that Jessica, twenty years of age, applied to the Department for the position of trooper.
On December 1, 1995, the first half of Jessica Jean Cheney's near lifelong goal was realized. Jessica was hired by the Department of State Police for the position of trooper only 77 days after her twenty-first birthday. She was among the youngest troopers ever hired by the Department, whose minimum age requirement is twenty-one. From this day forward she would be Trooper Jessica J. Cheney.
Trooper Jessica J. Cheney graduated from the Virginia State Police Academy on June 14, 1996. At the time of her graduation, Trooper Cheney was the youngest trooper in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Trooper Cheney was also the youngest female trooper to ever graduate from the Virginia State Police Academy.
I had the privilege of being assigned as one of Trooper Cheney's field training officers (FTO) for a brief time. I recalled how it felt to sit beside my FTO in the driver’s seat of my blue and gray for the first time, learning the ways of a Virginia state trooper. It is a feeling every trooper has experienced.
I remember one of our days on patrol together. Trooper Cheney drove and I took my place beside her. We headed out to patrol the interstate. While on patrol Trooper Cheney observed a reckless driver ahead of us. She never hesitated. The expression on her face said more than words could ever say. She was so calm and yet there again was that certain excitement in her eyes. This expression soon became familiar to me. She looked as though she was concentrating her very best not to smile. I soon found myself doing the same. I was happy for her. I knew how hard she had worked for this day. Jessica was living her dream. We had only ridden together for a short time and already I knew that seated beside me was someone very special. For many, finding one's niche in life takes quite awhile. What a great joy it was to watch someone who found it so early.
I remember working on paperwork at the office on many occasions. I heard a key rattling the lock to the office door. As the door opened, I recognized who it was in an instant. There was no mistaking that cheerful voice. Trooper Cheney had entered the building and everyone knew it. The room seemed to grow a little brighter. As if her cheery disposition wasn't enough, I looked over and now saw the smile. It was consuming. I always hoped my paperwork was finished before she walked into the office. The stack of papers on the desk never seemed quite as important once she arrived. I waited for the jokes to start. Jessica was instant medicine for the troubles of the day.
It was a matter of routine for Jessica to have worked a full day on the road as a trooper and then run calls with the local volunteer rescue squad for hours. She always placed the interests of others ahead of those of herself. Jessica was a public servant in the truest sense of the term. Among other things, I admired her for that.
In late December 1997, Jessica and her parents planned a trip to Washington, D.C. Jessica invited me along. It had been quite awhile since I went sightseeing in Washington D.C. I decided I would go along. Jessica insisted from the start of the day that there was one display she absolutely had to see before leaving for home. It was difficult to keep up with her, but I did my best. As I turned the corner there she stood, admiring the ruby red slippers that had taken Dorothy to Oz and back. She beamed a smile so bright it outshone the display. I wondered how something so simple could make someone so happy. This was Jessica.
Jessica and I worked our last shift together over the New Year's holiday. We were midnight shift partners assigned to patrol Stafford County. She was ill with a severe cold. She refused to take leave, realizing it would leave me by myself on the midnight shift. On the last night of our shift, I stopped a vehicle on Interstate 95 for a reckless driving violation. As I sat in my patrol vehicle filling out the summons, I noticed a vehicle pull in behind me and stop. I exited my patrol vehicle to investigate. After a few steps I recognized the car. The front window rolled down and revealed the driver's face. Jessica laughed. "I didn't scare you, did I?" she said with a large grin. I just smiled. She told me she wanted to make sure I was O.K. She was clearly proud of herself for startling me. Jessica opened my front passenger's door and sat down beside me. We talked for awhile about the events of the shift. Jessica loved to talk. Those conversations were golden and
I cherished every moment. As Jessica opened the door to leave she turned towards me and told me to be careful. I told her I would and asked her to do the same. She closed the door and I watched her as she walked away. She cared about her shift partner. I cared about her too. It was comforting to work with someone who took the time to check on their partner. She always went the extra mile. That was just Jessica. This was the last shift Jessica and I would ever work together.
Jessica Jean Cheney certainly left her mark on the world. She touched the lives of so many people in such little time. Trooper Cheney was young, but she was anything but inexperienced. Looking back I have often wondered, who trained whom? Who was the real field training officer? I learned more from Jessica about life than she ever did from me about becoming a trooper. She helped me to recognize what is important in life. I know in my heart that I am not her only student. As I drive my patrol vehicle I often look over and see the empty seat beside me. It is but one more vivid reminder of times past. I remember when Jessica sat there beside me and through the mist I realize just how fortunate I was. I shall carry her memory in my heart for all the days of my life. Her smile brightened my darkest days. Trooper Cheney's dedication to serving her fellow man was unequivocal and her devotion to the Commonwealth of Virginia unsurpassed. Trooper Cheney made the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of her duty. I am proud to say that Trooper Jessica J. Cheney was my friend. Trooper Jessica J. Cheney is my hero.
There is an old American Indian prayer of unknown origin. Like Jessica's life, it is brief. Just the same, it holds great meaning. I respectfully dedicate this prayer to the memory of my fallen hero, Jessica.
When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die, the world will cry and you will rejoice.
Rejoice, Jessica, for the world will forever cry.
OfficerName: Trooper Jessica J. Cheney
OfficerDepartment: Virginia State Police
City: Area 05 - Fredericksburg, Duty Post II - Stafford County
End of Watch: 1/17/1998
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