Tulsa Police Officer Who Lost Battle To Cancer Remembered

Lori Fullbright, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma – Hundreds of people said their final goodbyes to retired Tulsa police officer Jennifer Mansell on Friday, January 21, 2011.

She died January 17, 2011, after a nine year battle with cancer, but is being remembered for how she treated others during her 48 years of life.

11/17/2011 Related Story: Tulsa Police Officer Loses Battle With Cancer

The parking at the church was overflowing with people who wanted to pay their respects to Officer Mansell, known as Jennie to her friends.

Jennifer was a Tulsa police officer for more than 25 years and displayed a rare combination of tough on the streets and gentle on the people.

Her big heart was admired by the people she worked with and the people she arrested. She faced her cancer with courage, humor and grace and inspired those around her.

"People have noticed that, watched that, people will emulate that because you've given us strength and courage to do it ourselves," Officer JC Comstock said. "You've been an inspiration to so many."

Before Christmas, dozens of Jen's fellow officers recorded messages for her since they couldn't visit due to her fragile immune system. They shared stories of how she routinely looked out for others.

"I remember, me a rookie, all excited to go into this bank robbery in progress and my little guardian angel Jennie comes across the radio, you don't call me Ida 201, you say Whitney, do not go into that bank," Sergeant Whitney Allen said.

Jennifer served on the department's mounted patrol and years in the department's honor guard and most recently, was the department's downtown liaison, a job perfect for an officer with a heart to help the most in need. She truly was loved by many.

"You know you've done it right when I've been on the police department 10 years and I've never heard anyone say a bad thing about you," one officer said. "That's a world record."

Now, Jennifer Mansell is free from her pain and can rest easy knowing she left the world a better place for her having been in it.