Detroit Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch: Friday, December 14, 1951
Age: 29
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: 151
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 14, 1951
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Officer Jerlecki was shot and killed around 4 a.m. while pursuing burglary suspects at a jewelry store near 20031 W. Seven Mile.
The adult suspect was shot and killed and the juvenile suspect was apprehended. One of them had previously been convicted of shooting a New York State trooper but had been released early on a legal technicality. The juvenile suspect was ultimately acquitted of murder but convicted of burglary.
Officer Jerlecki had been with the agency for four years and was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.