East Haddam Police Department, Connecticut
End of Watch Friday, April 17, 1981
Add to My HeroesThomas Dean Jahelka
Constable Thomas Jahelka was struck and killed by a drunk driver while making a traffic stop on Mount Parnassus Road, between Route 82 and Smith Road, at about 1:10 am.
He was speaking to the driver of the vehicle he had stopped when the drunk driver struck him and the other car. The driver of the car he had stopped fled the scene after the crash, however, the driver who struck him remained at the scene and was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The charges were later upgraded to misconduct with a motor vehicle. The man was convicted of negligent homicide and sentenced to six months in jail.
Constable Jahelka had served as a part-time officer for the East Haddam Police Department for 15 years and had previously been a military policeman in the U.S. Army. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
The section of Mount Parnassus Road that he was struck on was renamed the Constable Thomas D. Jahelka Memorial Highway in November 2011.
Bio
- Age 41
- Tour 15 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Vehicular assault
- Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved
- Offender Sentenced to 6 months
Most Recent Reflection
View all 9 ReflectionsConstable Jahelka,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of East Haddam. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
April 17, 2021
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