'His loss is a huge blow to all of us': Thomas Jensen, 1982-2010

Prince George's County Pfc. Thomas Jensen died Tuesday night at an area hospital after sustaining injuries from a car crash about two weeks ago at the intersection of Route 1 and University Boulevard, police said.

Jensen, 27, was driving south on Route 1 after receiving a call about a burglary in progress at 6:55 a.m. on Feb. 27, when his car slid on a patch of black ice, causing his police cruiser to spin out of control and hit a utility pole. He was taken to Prince George's Hospital Center in critical condition and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit upon arrival.

District 1 Commander Maj. Daniel Dusseau said at the time of the crash, several nearby officers immediately gave Jensen first aid. The five-year District 1 veteran was described as a genuine person who had always wanted to be a police officer — just like his father, Sgt. Tom Jensen, who also worked for county police.

"I worked with Officer Jensen's father and remember when Officer Jensen was born," county Police Chief Roberto Hylton said. "This loss is made all the more difficult because of the close ties with the Jensen family."

Jensen remained in a medically induced coma since the crash, and some said it seemed that as of Monday he might recover. While he was in the hospital, police said, fellow officers visited him every night.

"Officer Jensen was a beloved member of our police family, and his loss is a huge blow to all of us," Hylton said. "Officer Jensen grew up in Prince George's County; he is truly one of our own."

At the time of the crash, Jensen was responding to a call about a man who had gotten high on PCP and broken into an apartment using force, according to a statement issued by police.

"It's been crazy around here," Dusseau said. "Losing an officer is a lot to deal with on top of everything else we need to handle."

Jensen, who graduated from DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, aspired to be a narcotics detective and was active in charity work, his friends told The Washington Post.

A viewing will be held on March 14 at the Robert E. Evans Funeral Home in Bowie, Md., Dusseau said, and services will be held on March 15 at the Riverdale Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, Md.

Jensen is the 26th county police officer to die in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife of five months, Kristelle Jensen, his mother and his father.

botelho@umdbk.com