Got an interesting email from Dennis indicating he and his family have encountered trouble while travelling outside of Jamaica. Email asking for immediate assistance. Hoping this is maybe his email account having been hijacked and nothing bad has happened to him or family. Anyone with insight? I do not want to reply to his plea for help if it is a scam.

Sounds like this scam:
http://www.snopes.com/fraud/distress/family.asp

Delete the email and tell Dennis his account may have been hacked and he should change his password.

I got it too. Spammed it.

He knows.