Constable Thomas Dean Jahelka, East Haddam Police Department, Connecticut

Constable Thomas Dean Jahelka

East Haddam Police Department, Connecticut

End of Watch Friday, April 17, 1981

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Thomas Dean Jahelka

Constable Thomas Jahelka was struck and killed by a drunk driver while making a traffic stop on Mount Parnassus Road, between Route 82 and Smith Road, at about 1:10 am.

He was speaking to the driver of the vehicle he had stopped when the drunk driver struck him and the other car. The driver of the car he had stopped fled the scene after the crash, however, the driver who struck him remained at the scene and was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The charges were later upgraded to misconduct with a motor vehicle. The man was convicted of negligent homicide and sentenced to six months in jail.

Constable Jahelka had served as a part-time officer for the East Haddam Police Department for 15 years and had previously been a military policeman in the U.S. Army. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.

The section of Mount Parnassus Road that he was struck on was renamed the Constable Thomas D. Jahelka Memorial Highway in November 2011.

Bio

Age 41
Tour 15 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Vehicular assault
Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved
Offender Sentenced to 6 months

Impaired Driver, traffic stop

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Constable Jahelka, it has been 43 years since you were taken from us. New England law enforcement has continued to thrive, learn and become safer due to the traditions and sacrifices you, your family, and many others have made for us. Thank you for your military and 15 years of law enforcement service.

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

April 19, 2024