Jean King Jones, Jr.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife — Sacramento, CA

Felonious

End of Watch May 14, 1979

Age 31

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

The Vigil Panel 121 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 16

Incident

Game Warden Jean Jones was shot and killed while attempting to arrest an 18-year-old poacher at McAvoy's Yacht Harbor in West Pittsburg. He had responded to the area after receiving reports of gunshots when he was shot twice in the leg with a .22 caliber handgun and then beaten. Despite his wounds, he was able to make it to his patrol car to call for help. An anonymous tip led to the arrest of the suspect the next day. He said he was shooting through some thick brush and did not realize he shot Game Warden Jones. On December 3, 1979 he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Game Warden Jones succumbed to complications of bloodloss two days later. Game Warden Jones had served with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for four years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-3693B58A
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Game Warden Jones gave the California Department of Fish and Wildlife 4 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Jones.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Location Sacramento, CA

Platform Identity cdfwcons.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 14, 1979

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

Age 31

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .22 caliber

Offender Convicted of manslaughter

Game Warden Jean King Jones, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 9 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 52.9% of this agency's fallen.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

of 17 officers

52.9% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious