Patrolman Henry W. Jennings

Henry W. Jennings

Patrolman Henry Jennings was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man at the Hotel Hartford at 240 Church Street at 9:15 am.

Earlier in the day, the subject had shot and wounded a fellow officer earlier when that officer attempted to arrest him during a burglary. Patrolman Jennings was staking out the hotel, waiting for the suspect to appear, when he spotted him in the corridor. The subject struck Patrolman Jennings in the head. He was able to return fire, severely wounding the suspect.

The suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life at the Connecticut Penitentiary on January 29, 1965. He was later transferred to the Federal Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois, where he was strangled to death by two fellow inmates in 1981. On October 22, 1983, one of his killers stabbed to death Correctional Officer Merle E. Clutts.

Patrolman Jennings had served with the Hartford Police Department for two years. He was survived by two children.