Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Jacobs,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of San Antonio. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 14, 2023

Patrolman Jacobs, rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 27, 2020

I remember that dreadful night that I heard on the news that a officer had been shot on Rigsby Ave. . I called out to my grandmother that a officer had just been shot on Rigsby. Moments later i heard a ambulance going down East Southcross and I felt it in my soul that it carried that officer. I later heard who it was and I was shocked. See my name is James Thompson and back then i was a real character. I use to roam the street at night and Officer Jacob and offucer James Harrison use to catch me and rough me up and I use to hate them for that. But within a week after officer Jacob was killed I called dispatch and ask for officer James Harrison to come by my grandmothers house. When officer Harrison came by I tearfully told officer Harrison that Officer Jaxob did not deserve to die. I respectfully gave Officer Harrison a dozen roses and ask him to take them to Officer Jacob's widow and give her my deepest sympathies. There has never been a single year that has past that I have not thought of Officer George Jacob and his death and that will never dwindle. To his widow if she is still living and to his children may I say that your father was a extremely fine S.A.P.D. officer. May Officer George Jacob always remain in God loving hands and watch over everyone that he loved and cared about always and forever..

James W. Thompson
Austin Texas
September 11, 2019

James Thompson

September 11, 2019

It has been 45 years since the San Antonio SAPD lost Officer George Jacobs, one of its Heroes who gave his Life to keep his vow to protect our Community! We will never forget him or the others who thought that much of the People of San Antonio! Thank you Officer George Jacobs and may God bless you and your Family!

Former SAPD Volunteer Esther WRIGHT
SAPD VIP/PST

January 14, 2019

10/30/18
Memories stirred....love not lost nor forgotten. Still your sister in law. Live and miss you.

Sharmaine
Sister In Law

October 29, 2018

HEY GEORGE....
IT HAS BEEN 45 YEARS SINCE THAT HORRIBLE, SNOWY, DREADFUL JANUARY NIGHT. 45 YEARS!! TIME CHANGES NOTHING, YET TIME CHANGES EVERYTHING! YOUR KIDS...SHELLY AND VINCE ARE SUCH GOOD , KIND AND COMPASSIONATE ADULTS. THEY ARE SMART, AND LOVING. AND OH!! HOW THEY MISS THEIR DADDY!! THEY ARE YOUR GREATEST LEGACY, GEORGE. YOU ARE REMEMBERED FOR SO MANY THINGS BY SO MANY PEOPLE....BUT THOSE TWO KIDS ARE YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT! WE MISS YOU HERE ON EARTH...THO THIS WORLD HAS GONE MAD, AND YOU AND TRACY AND MOM AND ALL THE ONES YOU ARE WITH ARE SAFE FROM FURTHER HARM. YOU ARE WRAPPED IN GOD'S LOVING ARMS...I DO SO BELIEVE THAT!! KISS MY KID FOR ME GEORGE, AND KISS "HEY" FOR ME TOO! PLEASE TELL THEM I LOVE YOU ALL...AND MISS YOU ALL TERRIBLY!
STILL YOUR SISTER IN LAW...
SHARMAINE

SHARMAINE HALLER
Sister-In-Law

January 10, 2018

George was my uncle. He and my older sister was born the same year. So he was more like a brother to me than an uncle. When we lost him, my children were 6 and 4. My husband had joined the Texas Department of Public Safety in 1967, having only served 6 years. My father had served in Bexar County as a deputy for many years. The loss all of our Jacobs Family suffered was multi-pronged and deep. I think of his widow, her children Mechelle and Vince often. They were so very young. How they bravely moved ahead is remarkable. God bless all who serve and protect.

Peggy Cuny
Niece of George Ellis Jacobs

September 9, 2015

I believe I was in 3rd grade that terrible time we lost Officer George Jacobs. I didn't know him, but I have never forgotten his name. The incident was blocks from our home. I have and always will have so much respect for "our men in blue". He died protecting us all. RIP

Michaeleen Buckley Chappell
Citizen

August 31, 2015

STILL LOVE, MISS AND THINK ABOUT YOU ALWAYS.

SHARMAINE
SISTER IN LAW

August 31, 2015

Today my daughter, Heather called and told me she had gotten a message from Sgt. Andrea Hardeman. I will be calling her Monday.
I haven't been on this page in a very long time. It's funny, after so many years it's still very hard... I'd like to thank everyone for such kind words. What a difference it makes to know my Daddy is still thought of! Not one day goes by that I don't think about him and miss him, sometimes I don't think the pain will go away~
An update on Johnny Leroy Harris- After many years of trying to meet with him, we were able to get a mediation granted. Along with my brother, Vince my daughter, Heather, mother and myself we were able to meet face to face... My brother and I talked to him and asked many questions as my mother and daughter were pretty quiet. I know for a fact, as I did that day, that this man looked us in the eyes and blatantly lied to us about what took place that night, I didn't care. I knew better and so does God!
I'd like to say that the board of pardons and parol have been extremely good to me and very caring.
After our mediation, some were very surprised to hear me say- Let him go. I knew in a way I had to forgive. For so long, I worked on petitions and always in contact with the board. I've still not healed, maybe I can one day, maybe not. It was just so much... Please understand that nothing was to much for our daddy, I just felt like it was time to let go. I know Daddy understands and that was all that mattered to me.
Thank you all for your continued support and God Bless our law enforcement, they are faced with an uncertain and cruel world even more so today...

Mechelle
Daughter

August 15, 2015

Heather, I am looking for family of Officer Jacobs. There is a Christmas Dinner every year for family of fallen officers.
please contact me at the Central Sub Station, 207-7411
Sgt. Andrea Hardeman

Sergeant Andrea Hardeman
San Antonio Police Dept. Family Assistance

August 14, 2015

Just cane by to visit this page (again) to show your great grandkiddos your picture and kind words from others. I never leave a message but but thought I should today.

Heather
Grand Daughter

June 8, 2015

I first worked the West Side of San Antonio as I graduated from the San Antonio Police Academy. Mostly a crime ridden part of town. After about nine months they transferred me to the South East side. My first day there, George contacted me to have coffee at a coffee shop on Goliad Road. I was impressed. The most important things I gleaned from our conversation was that George was a good man, caring and compassionate. The other thing George said was NEVER talk to anybody with his hands in his pockets. NEVER talk to anybody with his hands in his pockets....I remembered his voice as I repeated that my whole career.
I was home with a 103 fever the night George was shot. I got a call from a fellow officer. I got out of bed and went to SE Baptist Hosp ER. He looked DOA already. There were many officers there and we split up into groups of about six and panned out to search for two brothers. It was bogus info we got it was not the French Brothers who robbed the store and shot George. I was working the Dispatcher's office on Sunday, Jan. 14, 1973, when Sgt Gonzalves came into the disp booth and gave me a note saying George had passed on. It was with great sadness that I read the note. It was approx one hour later that Johnnie Leroy Harris walked in the front door of the Police Dept and told the Sgt. that he was the individual who shot "that Officer" the other night.
Granted, we had some wonderful investigators and Det Castillon was one of the best ever, But Harris turned himself in.
At the trial some time later, he testified that he and another man, Satterwhite, had robbed the store "cause we was out of heroin" They got $57.00. Satterwhite ran east on Rigsby and Harris ran South on Clark. Harris had on a long overcoat. George was headed North to meet James Harrison to discuss plans for the night after work. George saw Harris running South...Harris said he had some warrants on him and didn't want to go to jail so when "the Officer reached in to call in my name and such, I TOOK MY HANDS OUT MY POCKETS, aimed my gun and shots him in the head."
He got 2200 years in prison from the Jury...200 for the robbery and another 2000 for killing George. Harris voice on the witness stand has always haunted me...

Former Patrolman David Matheson
Former SAPD

December 20, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 39th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never dimishes respect and your memory wili always be honored and revered. I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.
Your brother in blue who wrote so movingly about the night of your murder is proof of how vivid the details stay with those who were involved.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 14, 2012

George,

Today is January 10th 2012. It has been 39 yrs since that fateful cold icey night. As I sit here and read your complete case packet is brings back many memories. It is 6pm and in a few short hrs it will mark the full 39 years. If I remember right it was about 9.45pm when the robbery call came out. We were getting ready to end our shift at 10:15pm. It was really cold windy and icey. As fate would have it you unknownly drove up on the suspect Johnny Harris as he ran from the store unware of the robbery.

The clerk was already on the phone calling it in when decided to investigate why this was running away from a convince store on a cold freezing night.

In a matter of seconds Johnny Harris turned and fired two shots at you. The first missed but the second struck you in the left side of your temple. You fell to the street where a passerby found you and notified the store clerk who was still on the phone calling the police for the robbery.

The robbery call was put out but you didnt answer then in a few seconds the officer shot call came over the air.

Officers Ed Kelly and Ted Mangold were the first to reach you but it was too late. The ambulance transported you to S.E Baptist Hospital about 6 miles away form Clark and Rigsby ave. There was no advanced life support then just load and go. But we knew you were gone. You kept alive for 5 days on a respirator until that night on the 14th when your family ended your suffering.

We had some hard nose homicide detectives back then that tracked your killer Johnny Harris down. I remember the night Johnny Harris was arrested. I went by the homicde office to see the person who murdered you. Johnny Harris was a pathic site sitting there sobbing how ironic. unfortuantly we would repeat this again to soon in June of 1973 where we would find ourseleves back at S.E Baptist E.R
with Officer Russell Spanegal.

Rest in peace my friends

retired detective
San Antonio P.D

January 10, 2012

every time I pass by that location i think about officer Jacob. if my memory serves me right i believe it was raining that night

retired cpl. stanley massey
alamo community college police dept

June 23, 2011

George,

On January 10th this past Monday 2011, I went the corner of Clark st and Rigsby the exact spot where you died 38 yrs ago. The service station is still there and the homes in the area have changed little It was cold and windy and for a moment I thought could hear sirens . It was a cold wet, and icy night in 1973, when your killer John Harris decided to rob the store. Only fate would of had you drive up next to him as he ran. Not knowing he just robbed a store you stepped out of your car to talk to him. In seconds you were shot in the head and died laying next your car. Your gun was still snapped in , flash light and hat still on the seat of you running car.

With in a minute a passer by drove by and called police dispatch. There were no cells phones then and it took a few mins to find a phone. A call had already been put for the robbery assigned to you but you never answered. The second emergency tone was broadcast for an officer down. The first unit to arrive in 2 mins was a traffic officer Ed Kelly followed by officer Ted Mangold and James Harrison. Harrison was the the officer you supposed meet at the service station for coffee . Soon the streets were filled with dozens of police cars after 10 mins sirens could still be heard off in the distance as still more officers responded. Officers trying to comfront you kept asking "Where is the ambulance" over and over to the dispatcher. What seemed like an hour was really 10 mins for the ambulance to arrive. There was not advanced life support or paramedics like today . You were just loaded in and Ted Mangold escorted you to the hospital where you clung to life for four days. Even though we knew you were gone that night. Your killers were quickly tracked down by some very good homicide and robbery detectives. First the driver was caught then you. The lead homicide detecive Frank Castillon quickly obtained a confession from Johnny Harris. At the trial harris was convicted of Captial murder but the laws at the time meant life was really less than 40 yrs. We will never know why the jury didnt give Harris the death sentence. Prehaps it was the early seventies attitude towards police. All I know is that we lost a fine police officer and even a better man on January 10, 1973.

Anonymous

January 15, 2011

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

February 25, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 5, 2008

G-d Bless.

January 14, 2007

My mom just showed me the article that was in True Detective. I wish I could have met you as you sound like a great man.

I would like to know where John Harris is now...probably still in jail. Maybe I will Google him.

Please rest in peace, and say "hi" to Leroy and Louise for me.

Jason Bell
Nephew via Betty Jacobs Bell

May 29, 2006

GEORGE...
I AM SO GLAD I HEARD ABOUT THIS WEBSITE. I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY SEEN YOUR NEICE, TRACY LYNN, AND YOUR FAVORITE MOTHER IN LAW, "HEY"!!! YOU WERE IN HEAVEN WAITING FOR THEM. YOU ARE SO MISSED AND LOVED, GEORGE...YOU ARE SPOKEN OF ALL THE TIME! YOU WOULD BE SO PROUD OF SHELLY AND VINCE. THEY MISS YOU TREMENDOUSLY....THEY ARE GOOD KIDS. VINCE LOOKS SO MUCH LIKE YOU (WITHOUT THE BUDDY HOLLY"S!!) YOU KEEP WATCHING OVER THEM, OK?? AND GIVE MOM AND TRACY LYNN A KISS AND HUG FOR ME....I LOVE YOU, SHARMAINE

SHARMAINE
SISTER IN LAW

January 19, 2004