Officer Jeremy Nicholas Henwood Captain (Major Select) USMC was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and grew up in San Antonio. Jeremy became a U.S. citizen in order to become an officer in the United States Marine Corps. After proudly serving the country through three overseas deployments, he left active duty in 2007 and joined the San Diego Police Department. On Aug. 6, 2011, Jeremy pulled over to assist a driver when he was shot point blank with a shotgun. Even in death, Jeremy proved his commitment to help others through his choice to register as an organ and tissue donor at the DMV. His younger sister Emily Henwood will ride the 2013 Donate Life Rose Parade float in her brother's honor.

Jeremy's Story

Officer Jeremy Nicholas Henwood Captain (Major Select) USMC was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on Sept. 14, 1974. His family moved to Texas in 1978 and Jeremy grew up in San Antonio. After graduating from the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas, Jeremy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He completed basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and returned to San Antonio to attend the University of Texas where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.

Jeremy became a United States citizen in order to become an officer in the United States Marine Corps and was commissioned on Dec. 15, 2000. His proud service to the country included three overseas deployments. He left active duty, re-entered the reserves and joined the San Diego Police Department on July 20, 2007, where he was assigned to the Mid-City Division.

Three years later, Marine duty called again and Jeremy was deployed to Afghanistan as a Bravo Company Commander for Combat Logistics Battalion 2. He fulfilled his tour there and returned to Camp Pendleton north of San Diego, after which he completed his active duty including service in Costa Rica.

Jeremy returned to his San Diego police career in February 2011. On Aug. 6, 2011 at approximately 5:30 p.m., Jeremy was on patrol in City Heights when a car flashing its lights approached him from behind. Jeremy pulled to the curb to assist. Without warning the driver shot him point blank with a shotgun just as an "all units" warning was being broadcast by the SDPD. The suspect had been involved in another unprovoked shooting in neighboring El Cajon less than a half hour earlier.

A witness and Good Samaritan stopped to render aid, using Jeremy's police radio to call for help. He was rushed to Mercy Hospital where he died shortly after 1 a.m. Even in death, Jeremy proved his commitment to help others through his choice to register as an organ and tissue donor in 2008 at the Poway DMV field office.

Jeremy is survived by his parents Drs. Robbie and Beverely Henwood of San Antonio, younger brother Robbie Douglas Henwood of Schertz, Texas and younger sister Emily Dawn Henwood of Ottawa. Emily will ride the 2013 Donate Life Rose Parade float in her brother's honor.

Jeremy had a deep sense of honor, integrity and commitment to both his duties as a police officer and a Marine and proudly lived by the U. S. Marine Corps motto Semper Fidelis ("Always Faithful"). He truly was a hero in live and death.