Patrolman Thomas F. Jackson

Thomas F. Jackson

Patrolman Thomas Jackson was shot and killed and his partner was shot in the arm by a male after they forced his car over on Interstate 10 after a high speed pursuit.

The 40-year-old driver, a convicted murderer recently released from Alcatraz Prison, was apprehended minutes later. Earlier he had been involved in a hit and run accident and was wanted for violating his parole.

The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. In 1974 he received a new trial and was convicted of manslaughter. Because he had a prior murder conviction in 1945 the State of Louisiana was allowed to sentence him to two consecutive 21 year terms.

Patrolman Jackson is survived by his mother, two brothers, two sisters, stepfather, and stepbrother.