Randal Eugene Jennings
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Randal Eugene Jennings

Felonious
End of Watch May 21, 1997
Age 38
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Badge 30
The Vigil Panel 143 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Jennings was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call. Deputy Jennings had responded to a call in which it was reported that a man was beating his wife. Upon arrival, a gun battle ensued in a dark field, and Deputy Jennings was struck five times, twice in the neck and once in the wrist. Two shots were stopped by his bullet-resistant vest. Deputy Jennings was able to return fire and kill the suspect with one shot. Deputy Jennings had served with the Butte County Sheriff's Office for nine years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, also a police officer, and his stepson.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-A874145E
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.

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

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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Jennings gave the Butte County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oroville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Jennings.

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

Agency

Location Oroville, CA
Platform Identity bcso.butte.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 21, 1997
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Age 38
Badge Number 30
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun
Offender Shot and killed by Deputy Jennings

Deputy Sheriff Randal Eugene Jennings 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 Butte County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.

Butte County Sheriff's Office
3
of 4 officers
75% Felonious
CA — Statewide
974
of 1,837 officers
53% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Randal Eugene Jennings's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Randal Eugene Jennings Compares

Age at End of Watch
38
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
9
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed by Deputy Jennings

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Randal Eugene Jennings is highlighted in May.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Randal Eugene Jennings was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518