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Incident
Sergeant Joseph Jennings succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 20 years earlier while attempting to arrest a man at a garage at Sixth Street and Centre Avenue Northwest in Roanoke. He was investigating the suspect regarding the theft of an electric drill at about 7:00 pm. During the arrest, the two began to struggle, and the suspect gained control of Sergeant Jenning's weapon. The man shot him several times, including a shot that severed his spinal column and left him paralyzed. The subject was arrested and served nine years for malicious wounding. Two years after his release, he was found guilty of second-degree murder of another man and sentenced to ten years.
Survivors
Sergeant Jennings was survived by his children and grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Jennings served with the Roanoke City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roanoke community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Jennings.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Roanoke City Police Department has lost 15 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1965, 1 officer at Roanoke City Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 2.
In 1965, 3 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1965, 78 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1965, 80 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 74. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Roanoke City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 48.8; the middle age was 36.
Joseph was 74. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Joseph was 74. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Joseph was 74. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 16.7% of these deaths at Roanoke City Police Department; July holds the most, 25%. Mondays: 8.3%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.2%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 15 deaths at Roanoke City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 8.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 7.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Roanoke City Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
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Thomas A. Mabry Jan 8, 1892
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Robert M. Beard
Oct 12, 1906
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Anthony D. Hiner
Aug 21, 1910
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John H. Leverett
Jun 21, 1916
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Paris R. Fields May 28, 1920
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Claude H. Morgan
Jul 2, 1925
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William M. Terry
Jul 3, 1925
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Ambrose M. Smith
Jul 8, 1927
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George Pettit Thomas
Nov 20, 1930
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William R. Carter
Dec 12, 1930
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Leonard Russell Morris
May 15, 1934
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Thomas E. Kittinger
Apr 29, 1961
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Joseph B. Jennings
Jun 28, 1965
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David Wayne Rickman
Apr 12, 1986
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Fred Wayne Robinson
Jan 5, 1992
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Roanoke City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
