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Aerl Lee Jernigan
Incident
Deputy Jernigan was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance at a convenience store on Highway 16 near the Bexar County Line. Two drunks were harassing customers. When he arrived at the scene the two had driven away and parked their car on the shoulder of the road about 300 yards away. As Deputy Jernigan stopped behind their car a deer hunter at the store watched through the scope of his rifle. He said the two got out of their car, shot Deputy Jernigan and then started kicking him as he lay on the ground. The hunter fired a warning shot and then opened fire on their car as they fled. Both were apprehended within an hour. The suspects, brothers, 51 and 54, were convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. On December 15, 1982, the Texas Court of Appeals ordered new trials for both. Both were sentenced to life. Deputy Jernigan was survived by his wife and two sons. He was a retired U.S. Air Force pilot.
Survivors
Deputy Jernigan was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Jernigan served with the Atascosa County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Jourdanton community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Aerl Lee Jernigan served in the U.S. Air Force (1954â1974) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Atascosa County Sheriff's Department has lost 7 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Aerl is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Aerl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Aerl is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1975, 1 officer at Atascosa County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1999, with 2.
In 1975, 14 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1975, 163 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1975, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Aerl was 39. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Atascosa County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 39.5; the middle age was 32.
Aerl was 39. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Aerl was 39. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Aerl was 39. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 28.6% of these deaths at Atascosa County Sheriff's Department; October holds the most, 28.6%. Sundays: 14.3%.
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 7 deaths at Atascosa County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Atascosa County Sheriff's Department has 7 officers remembered here, Aerl among them.
Military Service
Aerl Lee Jernigan served in the U.S. Air Force (1954–1974) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Aerl Lee Jernigan’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Atascosa County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
