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KYLE HENRICKSEN: Devoted father, loving husband, peace officer
Manteca resident, Pleasanton officer passes away
Kyle Henricksen
Photo contributed Kyle Henricksen, a lifelong Manteca resident and East Union High graduate, passed away this week after a one-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife Jennifer and their four children – 19-year-old Dest, 18-year-old Alyssa, 12-year-old Zoey, and 10-year-old Cohen.

By JASON CAMPBELL
The Bulletin
Kyle Henricksen – the lifelong Manteca resident and East Union graduate that until last year worked as a traffic officer for the City of Pleasanton – has passed away after a fierce battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was 36 years old.
The local husband and father of four was diagnosed roughly one year ago with Stage IV pancreatic cancer that had metastasized into his stomach lining – launching a fierce battle that rallied his family and friends, the city in which he lived, and the wider law enforcement community from throughout the area that banded together to support their brother in blue as he fought valiantly for his life.
Earlier this week the Manteca Police Department provided an escort for his fellow traffic officers from the City of Pleasanton who rode out together to send a message of support to Henricksen – who was unable to make an appearance in front of his house as his friends and coworkers gathered to let him know that he wasn’t alone. The motorcycle that Henricksen rode on patrol was one of the motorcycles that made the trip.
According to Manteca traffic officer John Machado, stepping up to help in any way possible was something that the department was more than happy to do.
“When you become a motorcycle officer there is a lot of training and you go to these sessions and these events with other guys from other agencies and you all learn to ride and to ride well so that you can make a difference – they were events where you would get together and have good times and everybody would understand one another,” Machado said. “There’s a saying in law enforcement and the motorcycle officer community that once you’re in, you’re in.
“Kyle’s wife and children will always be a part of our family.”
Henricksen began his law enforcement career in Alameda County in 2005 and spend three years as an Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputy before transferring to the City of Pleasanton in 2009 where he spent six years as a patrol officer and the last four as a motor officer in the special operations unit.
Kyle held an Associates of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies from San Joaquin Delta College that he earned in 2004 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Union Institute and University.
In addition to being involved in the community through organizations like Manteca Little League and Victorious Elite Allstars, Henricksen and his wife Jennifer took on the tremendous responsibility of raising children that needed a home. Not long after they were married Jennifer Henricksen’s mother passed away unexpectedly, and she and her husband took on the role of raising her then 5-year-old sister – now 18-year-old Dest.
When Kyle’s brother passed away of a heart condition four years ago, they welcomed his niece Alyssa, who was then 14 years old, into the family. And with Zoey, 12, and Cohen, 10, their days were packed full of family fun – with weekend camping trips to the coast a regular occurrence.
Earlier this year a number of Lathrop Police Services deputies and San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Deputies participated in a 5K in full uniform to honor Henricksen at an event that was organized by family friend Zanna Wolfgang. Officers from the Manteca, Sunnyvale, Tracy, and Pleasanton Police Departments also participated, as did deputies from the San Joaquin County and Sonoma County sheriff’s offices.
“There are so many reasons we all love Kyle,” Wolfgang said. “He was the guy who always showed up for his friends and family – he made us laugh, never too himself too serious, and he and Jenn truly lived life.
“Most of all, it was the way he loved Jenn and their kids. He is an inspiration to all.”
Information about a memorial service will be shared on social media when the specifics are finalized.