Officer Jennifer Sebena was killed on duty on Christmas Eve 2012 while returning to her parked squad car outside a fire station. Within hours, her murderer was in custody and had confessed. It was her husband, Benjamin Sebena, who had laid in wait for his wife before ambushing her, shooting her twice in the back of the head. He then reportedly disarmed her of her duty weapon and shot her three additional times in the face.
The controversy was: does she belong on the wall of honor recognizing fallen officers? The answer is: without a doubt.
The controversy was: does she belong on the wall of honor recognizing fallen officers? The answer is: without a doubt.
She was on duty, in uniform and killed because of her role as a public servant first, and a wife second.
To those who would question her place alongside other fallen officers, I offer this final argument. Was she killed because she was in a deteriorating, violent relationship? Or was she killed because she was a police officer in a deteriorating, violent relationship? Her husband, an ex-Marine who had been gravely wounded in a war-time mortar attack, intentionally targeted her while she was on duty as a symbolic act. He admitted one of his motivations was jealousy. Since 90% of police officers are male (a 2010 statistic), Officer Sebena's work in a male-dominated profession was a huge factor in her killer's decision.
May Officer Sebena rest in peace knowing she has not been forgotten as one of many who deserve our respect and honor. May her parents and family be continually comforted by the sea of officers who knew her, worked with her and lost her. It was a privilege to learn her story, which I want to share with the world. She is Officer #38 profiled in my upcoming book, Officer Down 2013.
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