He gave his life to protect and serve

Highway Patrol class adopts fallen Trooper Jesse Jenkins

By TERESA RESSEL
Daily Journal Staff Writer

DESLOGE — Every class that goes through the Missouri State Highway Patrol Training Academy in Jefferson City gives something back to the Academy or to the Patrol family. 

Tim Craig and his 26 classmates from the 88th recruit class noticed Trooper Jesse “Roger” Jenkins, who died Oct. 14, 1969 while trying to protect others, did not yet have a plaque honoring him at the Academy.

The class adopted him and his surviving wife, Janet, as their class representatives — people they could look up to.

Craig, who is from Potosi, said Jenkins, only 29 years old at the time, showed heroism and selfless service and saved lives. Jenkins was described as an upbeat person who loved his job and the Patrol and was well-liked by his peers. One recruit’s father was Jenkins’ zone mate.

Tuesday, on the 39th anniversary of his death, Craig and members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop C placed a memorial wreath on his burial place at St. Francois Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Desloge. Family members, which included his wife, son, a granddaughter and two brothers, attended the special ceremony led by Craig and Chaplain Darryl Rhodes.

Craig asked the family to attend the class’ graduation ceremony this December in Jefferson City. At that time, a plaque will be dedicated in his honor and will be put on display at the Academy. St. Francois Memorial Park and Funeral Home and Linda Shearin made a donation to the Academy in honor of the trooper.

His death

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Web site, Jenkins, who was from the local area, graduated from the academy Dec. 22, 1967. He was assigned to Montgomery City in Troop F.

During the early morning hours of Oct. 14, 1969, Robert Melvin Thomas and another man were arrested in the act of burglarizing Cleeton’s Radio and TV Service in Montgomery City. After the two suspects were charged and arraigned that same day, they were taken to the office area of the sheriff’s office.

Thomas was seated next to the Sheriff when the Sheriff reached across his desk to pick up the phone. Thomas removed the Sheriff’s five-shot revolver from its holster, stood up and ordered the Sheriff, deputy sheriff, city marshal and Jenkins to stand still.

Jenkins reportedly stood up from his desk and engaged in an exchange of gunfire with Thomas. Jenkins fell to the ground while Thomas ran off, collapsing and dying on a flight of stairs in the office.

Jenkins was the eighth member of the patrol to make “the ultimate sacrifice.” For more information visit, http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/UltimateSacrifice/index.html

In 2004, A section of U.S. 67 between Desloge and Bonne Terre was designated “Trooper Jesse R. Jenkins Memorial Highway.”

Shortly after his death, Janet and her two sons, Jeffrey and Bruce, moved back to St. Francois County, where she still lives and is active in the Park Hills Senior Center. Bruce died when he was 22 years old. Their second oldest son, Steven, had died in 1962, an infant, as a result of a respiratory infliction.

Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.

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