Officer Jean Hayden Youngblood, Troy Police Department, Alabama

Officer Jean Hayden Youngblood

Troy Police Department, Alabama

End of Watch Monday, May 21, 1962

Jean Hayden Youngblood

Officer Jean Youngblood was shot and killed while attempting to secure a business from a man who had just robbed a bank and murdered two bank tellers in a nearby town.

He had received word that the suspect was heading into town so he went to the first service station in town to make sure the owner had protection. While inside the store they heard a vehicle pull around back. Officer Youngblood went to the front door and crouched down as he looked outside. At the same moment the vehicle came around the front of the building and the suspect fired a single shot from a .45 caliber handgun, striking Officer Youngblood in the chest.

The suspect fled but was pursued by a several officers and citizens. He was killed in a shootout in a local cemetery.

Bio

Age 37
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber
Offender Shot and killed

Most Recent Reflection

View all 10 Reflections

I was a high school senior in Troy when the policeman we all knew as "Youngblood" was murdered. He was so open and friendly to all us youngsters--always seemed to have time for us. I was listening to the police scanner at the Troy Police Department when the suspect was killed--amazing that they tolerated us there, but those were simpler times.

Bryan Jones
Professor, University of Texas at Austin

August 25, 2016