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Incident
Patrolman Jack Jernigan was shot and killed after he and two Air Force policemen answered a disturbance at a local restaurant at 10:30 p.m. The subject was upset with a waitress when she refused to marry him. When officers arrived and were trying to calm the man down, the subject attempted to gain control of one of the officers' weapons. Patrolman Jernigan pushed the Air Force policeman out of harm's way and drew his weapon. He and the suspect exchanged shots and were both fatally wounded. The subject who sold the gun to the suspect was charged with selling a pistol to a minor. A 16-year-old who was with the suspect at the restaurant was given probation for accessory to murder. Patrolman Jernigan was a United States Marine Corps Reserve WWII veteran and had previously served with the Rawlins Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Jack is one person.
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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.
Patrolman Jernigan gave the Cheyenne Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cheyenne 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
Jack Norwood Jernigan served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cheyenne Police Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Jack is one of 41 officers killed feloniously in WY, 65.1% of the 63 remembered there.
Jack is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Jack 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 1954, 1 officer in WY was killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 30 years on record. The heaviest was 1903, with 5.
In 1954, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1954, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jack was 29. Of the 32 killed feloniously in WY whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45; the middle age was 41.5. Jack had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
Jack was 29. 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. Jack had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jack was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jack had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 14.6% of these deaths in WY, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Cheyenne Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.1% of all 63 deaths in WY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 43.9% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Cheyenne Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Jack among them.
Military Service
Jack Norwood Jernigan served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Jack Norwood 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 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Cheyenne Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
