Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer George Jacobs was shot and killed, and his partner was critically wounded by one of three men during a traffic stop on Snyder Avenue, near Broad Street. At 3:30 a.m., the two officers witnessed a driver running a red light. Officer Jacobs asked the driver, who had exited the vehicle, for his driver's license and registration. While reaching for his license, a 22-year-old subject in the car pulled out a gun and fired at both officers. The driver returned to the car and drove away. Five teenagers who were entering a nearby diner witnessed the entire incident. As the suspects fled, two witnesses chased them on foot, while a third witness used the police radio to call for help. Officer Jacobs and his partner were transported to St. Agnes Hospital, where Officer Jacobs succumbed to his wounds. The suspects crashed their car into a fence in front of a nursing home at 2025 Snyder Avenue and fled on foot. One was later apprehended, and the driver turned himself in. Police engaged in gunfire with the 22-year-old shooter after they trapped him on a house rooftop. He was shot twice and injured more when he fell off the rooftop. The suspect was charged with murder. His two companions, age 17, were charged with accessory after the fact. The suspect was determined to be incompetent, unable to stand trial, and sent to a mental institution. In 1976, he was deemed fit to stand trial, convicted of second-degree murder, and sentenced to 10 to 20 years. Officer Jacobs was a United States Marine Corps Veteran and served with the Philadelphia Police Department for three months, assigned to the 11th and Wharton Streets station.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-E4070CD6- 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 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.
Police Officer Jacobs served with the Philadelphia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia 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
George V. Jacobs served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer George V. Jacobs 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George V. Jacobs's cause is highlighted.
How George V. Jacobs Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George V. Jacobs is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George V. Jacobs was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
