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Incident
Chief of Police Joe Jenkins was shot and killed with his own service weapon while struggling with an intoxicated subject. Chief Jenkins was at home when he was awakened by a noise at 1:00 am after two men stopped a car in front of his house to drink. He placed the men under arrest and then asked a passerby to cover them so he could return to his home to dress before taking the prisoners to jail. As he turned around, one of the drunk men turned the car on, prompting Chief Jenkins to retrieve his gun and confront the man. A struggle ensued in which the man disarmed Chief Jenkins and then shot him. The suspect was lynched by an angry mob on October 1st, 1930, after being taken from the county jail. Chief Jenkins had served with the Cartersville Police Department for 12 years. He was survived by his wife and nine children. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and nine children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Jenkins gave the Cartersville Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cartersville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Jenkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Joe is the only officer of Cartersville Police Department remembered here.
Joe is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Joe is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joe is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 6 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joe was 65. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Joe had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joe was 65. 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. Joe had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joe was 65. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joe had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 7.8% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Fridays: 12.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Cartersville Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.7% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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