Alabama Hero Honored
by Glenn Rigby

 The Legislative Medal of Honor was created by the legislature in 1994 to honor law enforcement officers in Alabama.  This is the highest award given to a law enforcement officer each year in Alabama.|

Major John Thomas Jenkins, Chief Enforcement Officer of the Marine Resources Division, was one of eighteen enforcement officers nominated for this honor this year.  Every officer nominated for this distinguished honor qualified through their outstanding professional and service records. Jenkins was chosen by the continuing Joint Legislature Committee due to his selfless devotion to his duty and to the people of Alabama during and following Hurricane Katrina.

 Major Jenkins left his house and stayed at the Bayou La Batre Civic Center along with several of his men, the Bayou La Batre Police Chief and Representative Spencer Collier and other law enforcement officers. 

As the storm raged, the Bayou La Batre Police Department received so many calls for help due to rising water that Jenkins made the decision to attempt to rescue as many people as possible during the storm.  The decision was made due to his training and the desperate position of the townspeople as Katrina battered the area.

As Major Jenkins and two of his fellow officers attempted to launch a small boat, the eighteen foot storm surge flooded their tow vehicle.  They unhooked the boat from the trailer and went about locating families in danger and rescuing them. 

At one home, Jenkins stood on a kitchen table holding three children as other officers took the mother and two other children to safety.  The water measured chest deep and rising while Jenkins held the remaining children and waited for the boat to return.  When the boat returned, Jenkins put the small children in the boat and went back and rescued a small dog belonging to the children.  More than 30 people were rescued during the course of the storm. Jenkins and other rescuers had to dive underwater to enter some of the houses while searching for people.

 After the storm passed, Major Jenkins organized the distribution of ice, water, and food in Bayou La Batre and Grand Bay areas.  He directed the relief efforts for his division and for the Department in South Mobile County. Jenkins did whatever it took to get the job done.

 Major Jenkins was and is a true hero because of his actions during this crisis.  He exemplifies through his leadership and character everyday the true meaning of the word hero.