Sergeant Jay Elmo "Jerry" Wignall, Tucumcari Police Department, New Mexico

Sergeant Jay Elmo "Jerry" Wignall

Tucumcari Police Department, New Mexico

End of Watch Friday, November 11, 1966

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Jay Elmo "Jerry" Wignall

Sergeant Wignall succumbed to wounds received two days earlier when he was shot on a rampage after his brother was arrested the previous day. The man went to his mother-in-law's home where he murdered his sister-in-law. He then took his wife hostage and took her to the police station. Once there he let her go and took two men hostage. He forced them up the stairs where he encountered a dispatcher and Sergeant Wignall. He forced Sergeant Wignall to give him the jail key and then shot him in the back. When he opened the jail he discovered that his brother was no longer there because he had been transferred to the county jail earlier in the day.
The suspect then took the dispatcher hostage and left the jail. He took her to a nearby store where he was surrounded by officers. He eventually surrendered. He was sentenced to life in prison but committed suicide in his cell in 1980.
Sergeant Wignall was survived by his and son.

Bio

Age 57
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Wednesday, November 9, 1966
Weapon Shotgun
Offender Committed suicide in jail

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Most Recent Reflection

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I was privileged and proud to have worked as a dispatcher and police officer at Tucumcari PD from 1976 to 1988. I have never forgotten the sacrifice by Sgt Wignell nor the facts of the incident in the report and talking to officers that were there when it happened. Blessings to his family and all our brothers, sisters, and their families for their sacrifices.

Chief Retired Thomas Romero
Bernalillo PD

January 6, 2026