Sergeant Carlton Daniel Jenkins

Carlton Daniel Jenkins

Sergeant Carlton Jenkins was shot and killed after making a traffic stop of a robbery suspect on I-95 shortly after midnight.

Sergeant Jenkins had stopped an older model vehicle in response to a bulletin put out by a neighboring jurisdiction in Florida. The want was for a suspect in several armed robberies which had happened earlier in the evening.

During the stop, Sergeant Jenkins ordered the suspect to exit and approach the rear of the vehicle. However, the suspect did not comply and stood in doorway of the vehicle. Sergeant Jenkins repeated his order as the suspect reached inside the vehicle saying he was retrieving his license. He immediately turned and fired four shots at the officer. As Sergeant Jenkins was laying on the ground, the suspect took his handgun and shot him in the head, killing him. The entire incident occurred in less than 20 seconds, 13 of which Sergeant Jenkins was being fired upon.

A passing truck driver witnessed part of the incident and called for help using Sergeant Jenkins' radio. The trucker was able to give a description of the vehicle and the suspect was arrested approximately four hours later. The man was sentenced to two life sentences, plus 35 years, without the possibility of parole.

Sergeant Jenkins had been with the Camden County Sheriff's Department for 7 years, and had been in law enforcement for 11 years. The Camden County Sheriff's Department awarded him, Officer of the Year, in 1999. He is survived by his wife and five children.

In August of 2010, the 28th of August was declared to be Sergeant Carlton Daniel Jenkins Day in Camden County.