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Incident
Patrolman Henry Jennings was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man at the Hotel Hartford at 240 Church Street at 9:15 am. Earlier in the day, the subject had shot and wounded a fellow officer earlier when that officer attempted to arrest him during a burglary. Patrolman Jennings was staking out the hotel, waiting for the suspect to appear, when he spotted him in the corridor. The subject struck Patrolman Jennings in the head. He was able to return fire, severely wounding the suspect. The suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life at the Connecticut Penitentiary on January 29, 1965. He was later transferred to the Federal Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois, where he was strangled to death by two fellow inmates in 1981. On October 22, 1983, one of his killers stabbed to death Correctional Officer Merle E. Clutts. Patrolman Jennings had served with the Hartford Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by two children.
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.
Patrolman Jennings gave the Hartford Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hartford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Jennings.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hartford Police Department has lost 8 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Henry is one of 74 officers killed feloniously in CT, 43.8% of the 169 remembered there.
Henry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Henry 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 1964, 1 officer at Hartford Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1964, 1 officer in CT was killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 4.
In 1964, 75 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1964, 76 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 99th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Henry was 28. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Hartford Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.5 and 41; the middle age was 37. Henry had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Henry was 28. Of the 70 killed feloniously in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 46.5; the middle age was 39. Henry had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
Henry was 28. 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. Henry had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henry was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Henry had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 20% of these deaths at Hartford Police Department; March holds the most, 20%. Mondays: 40%.
May holds 13.5% of these deaths in CT, more than any other month. Mondays: 16.2%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 8 deaths at Hartford Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 43.8% of all 169 deaths in CT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 16.2% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Hartford Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Henry among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Hartford Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
