Jack was born on 20 September 1922, in Bartesville, Oklahoma, the eldest of twin boys to Freda and Iris Hensley. Jack and His brother Bill were small babies. Born at Freda's family home, they were placed in a box lined with cotton and put on the open door of the oven to keep them warm when not in their mother's arms. When the babies and their mother were ready to travel, they returned to Los Angeles where the family lived and the boys grew up. As little tykes, the twins were always ready for adventure and Jack in particular was alwayts looking for a good deal. At five or six years of age, they thought they had encountered both when they saw a candy salesman leaving free samples on the front porch of each house on the block. Quietly following behind the salesman, they picked up the free candy at each house and ate it. Unfortunately for the small adventurers, the delicious dark chocolate was EX-lax. Needless to say, the crime carried its own punishment.
The boys' father, Iris, had fought in World War I where he was exposed to mustard gas. The lasting effects of the gus ultimately caused his early death in 1936, just as the twins were entering their teen years. Jack began spending more time with his Uncle, Pat Cassidy, who introduced him to the world of horses and thoroughbred racing. He worked as an exercise boy in his teens and horse racing remained a passion through out Jack's life.
Before Pearl Harbor brought the United States officially into World War II, Jack Joined the Marine Corps in June 1941 at the age of eighteen. Jack served in the Sixth Marine Division in the South Pacific as an ambulance driver. Always fiecely patriotic, he served with courage and honor. Jack was awarded the Bronze Star for valor he exhibited on April 123, 1945 when he volunteered and drove his ambulance through heavy mortoar fire to repeatedly evacuate casulties. He was nominated for a second Bronze Star for his actions a few days later when he was one of a group of four Marines and six corpsmen to respond to a call for aid from Marines pinned down by enemy rifle and machine gun fire. As a member of the Sixth Marine Division, Jack also received a Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action during the assault and capture of Okinawa, April 1 to June 21, 1945. Jack was honorably discharged from the Marine Corp in October 1945.
Jack was sworn into the Los Angles Police Department on June 16, 1949. While fulfilling his obligations to protect and serve, Jack also continued to pursue his education. He received a Bachelor of Laws degree from Southwestern University in 1950 and a Doctorate of Law degee in 1973. During his distinguished career in law enforcement, Jack worked varied assignments, including a fourteen year stint at the Venice Division. It was while serving in Venice that Jack met the person who brought his life its greatest meaning, his adopted son, John Capaccio. Jack viewed his job on the police force as an opportunity to help the good guys as well as the bad guys. Jack assisted in efforts to develop meaningful programs for senior citizens and initiated a police Christmas toy program for needy children in the Venice, Mar Vista, West Los Angles and Santa Monica. His efforts extended beyond the Los Angeles area as Jack was actively involved in the support of children in an Irish orphanage. Jack traveled to Ireland and arranged for Irish children to enjoy a much needed respite in Los Angeles. Lifelong friendships were formed between Jack and the children. He was designated as Elk of the Year in 1971 by the Hollywood Lodge for outstanding and tireless work in the field of youth activities. Jack's work in the police department also brought him to the mean streets of the city. He was injured several times apprehending suspects. A life-threatening event occured in 1973 when he was shot in the throat by an unknown sniper while driving a marked police car. Not to be deterred, Jack returned to work and continued his career in law enforcement until his retirement on July 20, 1979 as a Sergeant II Watch Commander.
Though never shirking from duty and service, Jack enjoyed many things away from the police department. He pursued his love of horses and horse racing throughout his working career and into his retirement. Jack raised, trained and raced the horses that he loved so well. Although years of seeing the hard side of life while pursuing criminals gave Jack a crusty outer edge, he remained a softie on the inside. Jack was very sentimental about family and friends. He saved cards and letters and wrote poetry. Jack loved pretty things like fine linen, silverware and china, and gave them to family and friends at holidays and special events. Jack also loved a bargin and the unusual gift. Donna and I have a Santa that sings and does the twist and a bird clock that chirps and sings every quarter hour. Each has become a treasured memento that always brings a smile to our faces. Jack loved animals and they loved him. He could never turn away a stray in need. Jack always had a dog and often a cat or two. His faithful friend Mooch misses him now. Jack loved to visit and reminisce. He valued frindship and loyalty. Jack loved his country and was passionate in his ideals and beliefs. Jack believed deeply in God and had faith in divine love and mercy. Jack loved his family. He was the proud Godfather to Steven Landers. He loved his brother, Bill, adn looked forward to their visits. He loved his niece, Donna---their chats on the phone and their dinners together. He loved his cousin Brian, who was a good friend and companion. But most of all Jack loved his son John. He was proud of John's accomplisments and the kind of person he is. He was proud of John as a father and a husband. He loved his daughter in-law Eileen, and her easy manner. Jack loved his grandsons, Anthony and Michael. He loved their sisters Vabessa and Tiffany. He was proud of all their accomplishments. They all brought him happiness and provide his legacy.
John always said the boys, Jack and Bill, had an Angel on their shoulders. Now there is a new Angel on duty. I am sure Jack has already wrangled his new assignment and has taken his post on John's shoulder. God bless. - John and Donna Stewart, 24 March 2004
The boys' father, Iris, had fought in World War I where he was exposed to mustard gas. The lasting effects of the gus ultimately caused his early death in 1936, just as the twins were entering their teen years. Jack began spending more time with his Uncle, Pat Cassidy, who introduced him to the world of horses and thoroughbred racing. He worked as an exercise boy in his teens and horse racing remained a passion through out Jack's life.
Before Pearl Harbor brought the United States officially into World War II, Jack Joined the Marine Corps in June 1941 at the age of eighteen. Jack served in the Sixth Marine Division in the South Pacific as an ambulance driver. Always fiecely patriotic, he served with courage and honor. Jack was awarded the Bronze Star for valor he exhibited on April 123, 1945 when he volunteered and drove his ambulance through heavy mortoar fire to repeatedly evacuate casulties. He was nominated for a second Bronze Star for his actions a few days later when he was one of a group of four Marines and six corpsmen to respond to a call for aid from Marines pinned down by enemy rifle and machine gun fire. As a member of the Sixth Marine Division, Jack also received a Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action during the assault and capture of Okinawa, April 1 to June 21, 1945. Jack was honorably discharged from the Marine Corp in October 1945.
Jack was sworn into the Los Angles Police Department on June 16, 1949. While fulfilling his obligations to protect and serve, Jack also continued to pursue his education. He received a Bachelor of Laws degree from Southwestern University in 1950 and a Doctorate of Law degee in 1973. During his distinguished career in law enforcement, Jack worked varied assignments, including a fourteen year stint at the Venice Division. It was while serving in Venice that Jack met the person who brought his life its greatest meaning, his adopted son, John Capaccio. Jack viewed his job on the police force as an opportunity to help the good guys as well as the bad guys. Jack assisted in efforts to develop meaningful programs for senior citizens and initiated a police Christmas toy program for needy children in the Venice, Mar Vista, West Los Angles and Santa Monica. His efforts extended beyond the Los Angeles area as Jack was actively involved in the support of children in an Irish orphanage. Jack traveled to Ireland and arranged for Irish children to enjoy a much needed respite in Los Angeles. Lifelong friendships were formed between Jack and the children. He was designated as Elk of the Year in 1971 by the Hollywood Lodge for outstanding and tireless work in the field of youth activities. Jack's work in the police department also brought him to the mean streets of the city. He was injured several times apprehending suspects. A life-threatening event occured in 1973 when he was shot in the throat by an unknown sniper while driving a marked police car. Not to be deterred, Jack returned to work and continued his career in law enforcement until his retirement on July 20, 1979 as a Sergeant II Watch Commander.
Though never shirking from duty and service, Jack enjoyed many things away from the police department. He pursued his love of horses and horse racing throughout his working career and into his retirement. Jack raised, trained and raced the horses that he loved so well. Although years of seeing the hard side of life while pursuing criminals gave Jack a crusty outer edge, he remained a softie on the inside. Jack was very sentimental about family and friends. He saved cards and letters and wrote poetry. Jack loved pretty things like fine linen, silverware and china, and gave them to family and friends at holidays and special events. Jack also loved a bargin and the unusual gift. Donna and I have a Santa that sings and does the twist and a bird clock that chirps and sings every quarter hour. Each has become a treasured memento that always brings a smile to our faces. Jack loved animals and they loved him. He could never turn away a stray in need. Jack always had a dog and often a cat or two. His faithful friend Mooch misses him now. Jack loved to visit and reminisce. He valued frindship and loyalty. Jack loved his country and was passionate in his ideals and beliefs. Jack believed deeply in God and had faith in divine love and mercy. Jack loved his family. He was the proud Godfather to Steven Landers. He loved his brother, Bill, adn looked forward to their visits. He loved his niece, Donna---their chats on the phone and their dinners together. He loved his cousin Brian, who was a good friend and companion. But most of all Jack loved his son John. He was proud of John's accomplisments and the kind of person he is. He was proud of John as a father and a husband. He loved his daughter in-law Eileen, and her easy manner. Jack loved his grandsons, Anthony and Michael. He loved their sisters Vabessa and Tiffany. He was proud of all their accomplishments. They all brought him happiness and provide his legacy.
John always said the boys, Jack and Bill, had an Angel on their shoulders. Now there is a new Angel on duty. I am sure Jack has already wrangled his new assignment and has taken his post on John's shoulder. God bless. - John and Donna Stewart, 24 March 2004
Jack was born on 20 September 1922, in Bartesville, Oklahoma, the eldest of twin boys to Freda and Iris Hensley. Jack and His brother Bill were small babies. Born at Freda's family home, they were placed in a box lined with cotton and put on the open door of the oven to keep them warm when not in their mother's arms. When the babies and their mother were ready to travel, they returned to Los Angeles where the family lived and the boys grew up. As little tykes, the twins were always ready for adventure and Jack in particular was alwayts looking for a good deal. At five or six years of age, they thought they had encountered both when they saw a candy salesman leaving free samples on the front porch of each house on the block. Quietly following behind the salesman, they picked up the free candy at each house and ate it. Unfortunately for the small adventurers, the delicious dark chocolate was EX-lax. Needless to say, the crime carried its own punishment.
The boys' father, Iris, had fought in World War I where he was exposed to mustard gas. The lasting effects of the gus ultimately caused his early death in 1936, just as the twins were entering their teen years. Jack began spending more time with his Uncle, Pat Cassidy, who introduced him to the world of horses and thoroughbred racing. He worked as an exercise boy in his teens and horse racing remained a passion through out Jack's life.
Before Pearl Harbor brought the United States officially into World War II, Jack Joined the Marine Corps in June 1941 at the age of eighteen. Jack served in the Sixth Marine Division in the South Pacific as an ambulance driver. Always fiecely patriotic, he served with courage and honor. Jack was awarded the Bronze Star for valor he exhibited on April 123, 1945 when he volunteered and drove his ambulance through heavy mortoar fire to repeatedly evacuate casulties. He was nominated for a second Bronze Star for his actions a few days later when he was one of a group of four Marines and six corpsmen to respond to a call for aid from Marines pinned down by enemy rifle and machine gun fire. As a member of the Sixth Marine Division, Jack also received a Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action during the assault and capture of Okinawa, April 1 to June 21, 1945. Jack was honorably discharged from the Marine Corp in October 1945.
Jack was sworn into the Los Angles Police Department on June 16, 1949. While fulfilling his obligations to protect and serve, Jack also continued to pursue his education. He received a Bachelor of Laws degree from Southwestern University in 1950 and a Doctorate of Law degee in 1973. During his distinguished career in law enforcement, Jack worked varied assignments, including a fourteen year stint at the Venice Division. It was while serving in Venice that Jack met the person who brought his life its greatest meaning, his adopted son, John Capaccio. Jack viewed his job on the police force as an opportunity to help the good guys as well as the bad guys. Jack assisted in efforts to develop meaningful programs for senior citizens and initiated a police Christmas toy program for needy children in the Venice, Mar Vista, West Los Angles and Santa Monica. His efforts extended beyond the Los Angeles area as Jack was actively involved in the support of children in an Irish orphanage. Jack traveled to Ireland and arranged for Irish children to enjoy a much needed respite in Los Angeles. Lifelong friendships were formed between Jack and the children. He was designated as Elk of the Year in 1971 by the Hollywood Lodge for outstanding and tireless work in the field of youth activities. Jack's work in the police department also brought him to the mean streets of the city. He was injured several times apprehending suspects. A life-threatening event occured in 1973 when he was shot in the throat by an unknown sniper while driving a marked police car. Not to be deterred, Jack returned to work and continued his career in law enforcement until his retirement on July 20, 1979 as a Sergeant II Watch Commander.
Though never shirking from duty and service, Jack enjoyed many things away from the police department. He pursued his love of horses and horse racing throughout his working career and into his retirement. Jack raised, trained and raced the horses that he loved so well. Although years of seeing the hard side of life while pursuing criminals gave Jack a crusty outer edge, he remained a softie on the inside. Jack was very sentimental about family and friends. He saved cards and letters and wrote poetry. Jack loved pretty things like fine linen, silverware and china, and gave them to family and friends at holidays and special events. Jack also loved a bargin and the unusual gift. Donna and I have a Santa that sings and does the twist and a bird clock that chirps and sings every quarter hour. Each has become a treasured memento that always brings a smile to our faces. Jack loved animals and they loved him. He could never turn away a stray in need. Jack always had a dog and often a cat or two. His faithful friend Mooch misses him now. Jack loved to visit and reminisce. He valued frindship and loyalty. Jack loved his country and was passionate in his ideals and beliefs. Jack believed deeply in God and had faith in divine love and mercy. Jack loved his family. He was the proud Godfather to Steven Landers. He loved his brother, Bill, adn looked forward to their visits. He loved his niece, Donna---their chats on the phone and their dinners together. He loved his cousin Brian, who was a good friend and companion. But most of all Jack loved his son John. He was proud of John's accomplisments and the kind of person he is. He was proud of John as a father and a husband. He loved his daughter in-law Eileen, and her easy manner. Jack loved his grandsons, Anthony and Michael. He loved their sisters Vabessa and Tiffany. He was proud of all their accomplishments. They all brought him happiness and provide his legacy.
John always said the boys, Jack and Bill, had an Angel on their shoulders. Now there is a new Angel on duty. I am sure Jack has already wrangled his new assignment and has taken his post on John's shoulder. God bless. - John and Donna Stewart, 24 March 2004
The boys' father, Iris, had fought in World War I where he was exposed to mustard gas. The lasting effects of the gus ultimately caused his early death in 1936, just as the twins were entering their teen years. Jack began spending more time with his Uncle, Pat Cassidy, who introduced him to the world of horses and thoroughbred racing. He worked as an exercise boy in his teens and horse racing remained a passion through out Jack's life.
Before Pearl Harbor brought the United States officially into World War II, Jack Joined the Marine Corps in June 1941 at the age of eighteen. Jack served in the Sixth Marine Division in the South Pacific as an ambulance driver. Always fiecely patriotic, he served with courage and honor. Jack was awarded the Bronze Star for valor he exhibited on April 123, 1945 when he volunteered and drove his ambulance through heavy mortoar fire to repeatedly evacuate casulties. He was nominated for a second Bronze Star for his actions a few days later when he was one of a group of four Marines and six corpsmen to respond to a call for aid from Marines pinned down by enemy rifle and machine gun fire. As a member of the Sixth Marine Division, Jack also received a Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action during the assault and capture of Okinawa, April 1 to June 21, 1945. Jack was honorably discharged from the Marine Corp in October 1945.
Jack was sworn into the Los Angles Police Department on June 16, 1949. While fulfilling his obligations to protect and serve, Jack also continued to pursue his education. He received a Bachelor of Laws degree from Southwestern University in 1950 and a Doctorate of Law degee in 1973. During his distinguished career in law enforcement, Jack worked varied assignments, including a fourteen year stint at the Venice Division. It was while serving in Venice that Jack met the person who brought his life its greatest meaning, his adopted son, John Capaccio. Jack viewed his job on the police force as an opportunity to help the good guys as well as the bad guys. Jack assisted in efforts to develop meaningful programs for senior citizens and initiated a police Christmas toy program for needy children in the Venice, Mar Vista, West Los Angles and Santa Monica. His efforts extended beyond the Los Angeles area as Jack was actively involved in the support of children in an Irish orphanage. Jack traveled to Ireland and arranged for Irish children to enjoy a much needed respite in Los Angeles. Lifelong friendships were formed between Jack and the children. He was designated as Elk of the Year in 1971 by the Hollywood Lodge for outstanding and tireless work in the field of youth activities. Jack's work in the police department also brought him to the mean streets of the city. He was injured several times apprehending suspects. A life-threatening event occured in 1973 when he was shot in the throat by an unknown sniper while driving a marked police car. Not to be deterred, Jack returned to work and continued his career in law enforcement until his retirement on July 20, 1979 as a Sergeant II Watch Commander.
Though never shirking from duty and service, Jack enjoyed many things away from the police department. He pursued his love of horses and horse racing throughout his working career and into his retirement. Jack raised, trained and raced the horses that he loved so well. Although years of seeing the hard side of life while pursuing criminals gave Jack a crusty outer edge, he remained a softie on the inside. Jack was very sentimental about family and friends. He saved cards and letters and wrote poetry. Jack loved pretty things like fine linen, silverware and china, and gave them to family and friends at holidays and special events. Jack also loved a bargin and the unusual gift. Donna and I have a Santa that sings and does the twist and a bird clock that chirps and sings every quarter hour. Each has become a treasured memento that always brings a smile to our faces. Jack loved animals and they loved him. He could never turn away a stray in need. Jack always had a dog and often a cat or two. His faithful friend Mooch misses him now. Jack loved to visit and reminisce. He valued frindship and loyalty. Jack loved his country and was passionate in his ideals and beliefs. Jack believed deeply in God and had faith in divine love and mercy. Jack loved his family. He was the proud Godfather to Steven Landers. He loved his brother, Bill, adn looked forward to their visits. He loved his niece, Donna---their chats on the phone and their dinners together. He loved his cousin Brian, who was a good friend and companion. But most of all Jack loved his son John. He was proud of John's accomplisments and the kind of person he is. He was proud of John as a father and a husband. He loved his daughter in-law Eileen, and her easy manner. Jack loved his grandsons, Anthony and Michael. He loved their sisters Vabessa and Tiffany. He was proud of all their accomplishments. They all brought him happiness and provide his legacy.
John always said the boys, Jack and Bill, had an Angel on their shoulders. Now there is a new Angel on duty. I am sure Jack has already wrangled his new assignment and has taken his post on John's shoulder. God bless. - John and Donna Stewart, 24 March 2004
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