Jennifer Sebena's Name To Be Added to National Memorial

Updated 1:50 p.m. with comment from Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber.

The organization that originally denied adding the name of a slain Wauwatosa police officer to a national memorial reversed its decision on Wednesday, reported Patch media partner WISN 12 News. 

Jennifer Sebena, who was shot and killed while on duty Christmas Eve 2012, will be honored by The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund in the wake of a significant outcry from Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn, the Wisconsin Professional Police Association and others when the group declined to add her name.

In a statement released Wednesday, Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber said:

I am very pleased with the decision made today by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.  I believe the correct decision was made. Jennifer Sebena’s name belongs on the memorial wall in Washington D.C.  Her sacrifice should not be forgotten and will not be forgotten. I thank everyone who has been supportive of our department. I was confident the right decision would ultimately be made. And it was.

The denial sparked a group to start an online petition that gathered 16,000 signatures in support. 

WISN reports that organization's vote to add Sebena's name on Wednesday was unanimous.

Her husband, Benjamin Sebena, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the slaying. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

The organization originally declined to include Sebena because she was a victim of domestic violence.