Police Plan for Funeral as Support Pours In

Funeral plans for slain Officer James Rex Jensen Jr. are being finalized as support from well-wishers continues to pour in.

About 20 residents have donated more than $700 to a special trust fund established at Channel Islands National Bank for the Jensen family, and the lobby of the police station is beginning to overflow with bouquets of roses, gladioli and carnations.

“We’re getting a lot of phone calls and walk-ins from people wanting to donate food, money and help in any way,” said Lori Paulsen, a Police Department records clerk. “It really helps to know they support us, that they care.”

Up to 3,000 police officers and others are expected to pay their respects at Monday’s funeral, which CHP officials say will cause minor traffic delays from noon until 1 p.m. along the procession route between the church and Ivy Lawn Cemetery. Authorities estimate the procession of about 1,000 cars will take at least half an hour to reach the burial site. Affected intersections will be temporarily closed.

Many of the officers in the procession will wear their SWAT fatigues in honor of Jensen, 30, who died during a SWAT operation. Others will be clad in dress uniforms.

Jensen’s family was also busy making preparations Friday. Jensen leaves behind a widow, Jennifer, and two daughters, Lindsey, 6, and Katelyn, 3.

Lorraine Brzozowski, speaking on behalf of her sister Jennifer, said the family is holding together during this difficult period.

“[Jennifer] is having a tough time,” said Brzozowski, 36, of Ventura. “But she is overwhelmed by the love and support that the community has shown. So many people have donated things.”

Standing beside James Jensen’s beloved Rottweiler “Rocky,” Brzozowski cited the trust fund and said a local apparel store had donated clothing for her two nieces.

As Brzozowski pored over family photos, she remembered her brother-in-law as a devoted husband and father who loved his job but also made time for the community.

“His kids and my sister came first in everything,” Brzozowski said. “But he was involved in so many things.”

Brzozowski said her sister casts no blame in connection with the tragedy that occurred Wednesday when Sgt. Dan Christian, 43, accidentally shot and killed his friend Jensen during a predawn drug raid.

“Jenny loves Dan,” Brzozowski said. “We all are very close to Dan and his wife. There is no blame at all. I think Dan and Jenny are going to get through this together.”

The community has also shown strong support for Christian, who was Jensen’s mentor.

Suzette Privitelli, a fourth-grade teacher at Larsen School in Oxnard, said Friday that her elementary students plan to send Christian a batch of letters they had written. The officer has visited Privitelli’s class several times since December to talk about police work.

“The kids just said that they wanted to thank him for being such a positive role model and for coming into the class on his own time,” Privitelli said. “Some of my kids want to be police officers because of him. They really felt bad for him because they know him.”

More than 1,200 mourners are expected to fill the pews of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ventura. Mormon Bishop Robert Ayer will deliver the sermon.

“Death is a crushing blow to those who are left behind,” Ayer said Friday. “But if you have an eternal perspective, death is put in a much more hopeful light.”

The public can also pay their respects during a visitation for the fallen officer today at the Charles Carrol Funeral Home, 15 Teloma Drive, in Ventura from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The mood at the police station remained grim Friday, where some officers were busy arranging the funeral.

“We’re trying to get everything organized--that’s the first step toward getting beyond this tragedy,” Chief Harold Hurtt said.

LAPD Chaplin Steve Hillmann said the Oxnard department is progressing.

“I think people are doing better,” Hillmann said. “At first they were stunned and numb, but now they’re talking about it, which is good.”

In addition to formal meetings with department staff members, the chaplains are performing “water cooler” therapy, Hillmann said.

“People recognize us now and talk to us informally in the hallways,” he said. “Sometimes it’s easier that way.”

Blechman and Wahlgren are Times correspondents.