x
Breaking News
More () »

High school senior honors fallen Indiana officers

She filled her parking space with the badge numbers of every officer who died during the 12 years she was in school.

FAIRMOUNT, Ind. — Madison-Grant High School Senior Avery Jentes used her senior parking space to honor Indiana police who died during the 12 years she was in school. 

In a post on Facebook, the Marion Police Department shared a photo of Jentes standing in the parking space. 

Each of the numbers written in the parking space is the badge number of a fallen officer.

In a comment on the post, Jentes was overwhelmed by the response. 

"I am almost in tears right now," Jentes wrote. "Never ever did I think this would reach and touch this many people. Officers' wives, families, moms, etc. are seeing this. I’m so so thankful I had the opportunity to represent each and every single one of these officers that so selflessly put their lives on the line for us."

Credit: Marion Police Department
The Marion Police Department shared this picture of a much younger Jentes posing with Chief Gilbert.

The families of fallen officers are responding to the post as well. 

Kassandra Koontz, the wife of fallen Howard County Sheriff's Deputy Carl Koontz, commented, "Thank you Avery, wife of 34-76  it’s ladies like you that we need more of in this world."

The Remember Officer Noah Foundation wrote, "Thank you Avery, for honoring Noah Shahnavaz #39, fallen officer for Elwood Police Department."

RELATED: Elwood remembers Ofc. Noah Shahnavaz 1 year after his line-of-duty death

Maddy Fislar, the wife of fallen Hendricks County Sheriff's Deputy Fred Fislar, commented, "Thank you, Avery. Wife of Fred Fislar 32E32. Hero’s live forever."

Amy Garn Bailey, the wife of fallen Indiana State Police Trooper James Bailey, wrote, "Avery...thank you for thinking of us. Widow of James Bailey 7858. Our kids think this is pretty cool."

Jentes went on to write, "I grew up in a law enforcement family so I’ve always been around it. Right now I'm pursing my associates degree in criminal justice and on track to become an officer myself. Thank you everyone so much and I'm so thankful for every single first responder!"

Cool Kid w/a Big Heart Alert! Avery Jentes, a senior at Madison Grant HS, chose to paint her senior parking spot in...

Posted by Marion Police (Indiana) on Sunday, August 4, 2024

RELATED: Ride to Remember | Motorcyclists roll into Indianapolis to honor fallen officers

(NOTE: the video at the top of this story is from a different memorial for fallen officers.)

Before You Leave, Check This Out