Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Friday, July 15, 1966
Age: 29
Tour of Duty: 3 months
Badge Number: 7256
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 15, 1966
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 20 years
Officer Jacobs was shot and killed and his partner was critically wounded by one of three men when they stopped them for running a red light on Snyder Avenue, near Broad Street. As they walked up to the car a 22-year-old passenger shot them both and then fled with his two 17-year-old companions.
Five teenagers who were entering a nearby diner witnessed the entire incident. As the suspects fled, two of the witnesses chased them on foot as a third witness used the police radio to call for help. The suspects crashed their car into a fence in front of a nursing home at 2025 Snyder Avenue and fled on foot. One was later apprehended and another turned himself in. Police engaged in gunfire with the 22-year-old after they trapped him on a house rooftop. He was shot twice an injured more when he fell off the rooftop.
The suspect was charged with murder. His two companions were charged with accessory after the fact. The suspect was determined to be incompetent, unable to stand trial, and sent to a mental institution. In 1976 he was deemed fit to stand trial, convicted of second degree murder, and sentenced to 10 to 20 years.
Officer Jacobs was a Marine Corps Veteran.