Sergeant Peletiah M. Jenks
St. Louis Police Department
Missouri
End of Watch: Monday, October 8, 1883

Biographical Info
Age: 43
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, October 8, 1883
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: sentenced to 99 years in prison

Sergeant Peletiah Jenks was shot and killed when he attempted to disarm a woman who was waving a firearm around in a vacant lot near Biddle and Eighth Streets.

He grabbed the woman from behind but she spun around and shot him at point blank range. The woman was later apprehended.

Sadie Hays set to be hanged on January 1, 1886, but the courts granted a reprieve. On January 24, 1887, she was allowed to plead guilty to murder in the second degree, and she was sentenced to 99 years in prison

Sergeant Jenks had been a member of the St. Louis Police Department for 15 years, and was survived by his wife and several children.