Bessemer City Police Department, North Carolina
End of Watch: Tuesday, May 2, 1972
Age: 21
Tour of Duty: 1 month, 2 weeks
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 2, 1972
Weapon Used: Handgun; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Committed suicide
Officer Jenkins was shot and killed after stopping two men in a vehicle for having a defective tail light.
When he approached the vehicle he asked for the driver's license and registration. The driver gave Officer Jenkins the registration but not the license. When Officer Jenkins asked again, the driver produced a .22 caliber handgun and shot him twice. The driver then exited the vehicle, took Officer Jenkins' duty weapon, and shot him several more times. Backup officers found Officer Jenkins still holding the registration card.
As officers began a search of the area for the suspects, Officer Jenkins' killer opened fire on them from a house near the scene of the shooting. As the officers returned fire the suspect shot and killed himself. His companion later surrendered to officers and was charged with accessory to murder.
Officer Jenkins had been with the agency for six weeks and was survived by his wife.