Aerl Lee Jernigan

Atascosa County Sheriff's Department — Jourdanton, TX

Veteran → Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch December 21, 1975

Age 39

The Vigil Panel 116 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 6

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

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TX-40185BBA
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Aerl. Claim this record.

Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force, salute.nw. One record, 3 gates. Aerl is one person.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

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

Department Atascosa County Sheriff's Department

Type Sheriff's Office

Location Jourdanton, Atascosa County, TX

Platform Identity acso.atascosa.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 21, 1975

Age 39

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle

Military Service

Aerl Lee Jernigan served in the U.S. Air Force (1954â1974) before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Deputy Sheriff Aerl Lee Jernigan is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.

In TX, 1,460 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Atascosa County Sheriff's Department, 7 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Atascosa County Sheriff's Department

of 7 officers

100% Felonious

TX — Statewide

1,460

of 2,421 officers

60.3% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,759 officers

0% Felonious