M. Jerome "Jerry" Franklin
Patrolman

M. Jerome "Jerry" Franklin

Uvalde Police Dept. — Uvalde, TX
Felonious Veteran
End of Watch March 25, 1961
Age 35
Tour of Duty 2 yrs 6 mo
The Vigil Panel 96 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Jerry Franklin was shot and killed at 1 am in a cell at the Uvalde police station after he and another officer arrested a juvenile for intoxication and possession of alcohol. As they placed the boy in a cell, he began to resist. During the scuffle, Patrolman Franklin's holster and the weapon were knocked to the ground. The boy was then able to gain control of his gun and shot him, killing him instantly. The second officer struggled with the suspect, but the boy freed himself and ran up the stairs. A dispatcher confronted the suspect and disarmed him. He then placed the boy in an office and then went to check on Patrolman Franklin. The suspect escaped from the office but was returned to the police station by his mother. The Juvenile had a long delinquent record. He was 16 and weighed 180 pounds. On September 28, 1961, he was sentenced to five years. Patrolman Franklin was United States Navy Reserve World War II veteran and had served the Uvalde Police Department for 2 1/2 years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, daughter, son, father, two brothers, and two sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-B8524DC2
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.
Patrolman Franklin gave the Uvalde Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Uvalde 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 Uvalde Police Dept.
Location Uvalde, TX
Platform Identity upd.uvalde.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 25, 1961
Tour of Duty 2 yrs 6 mo
Age 35
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Cause: Gunfire

Military Service

M. Jerome "Jerry" Franklin served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman M. Jerome "Jerry" Franklin 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Uvalde Police Dept., 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Uvalde Police Dept.
2
of 2 officers
100% Felonious
TX — Statewide
1,463
of 2,421 officers
60.4% 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. M. Jerome "Jerry" Franklin'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 M. Jerome "Jerry" Franklin Compares

Age at End of Watch
35
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
2.5
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Cause: Gunfire

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. M. Jerome "Jerry" Franklin is highlighted in Mar.

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. M. Jerome "Jerry" Franklin was killed by officer's handgun.

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

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Uvalde Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.