Jean Hayden Youngblood, a 37-year-old police officer in Troy, Alabama, was killed on May 21, 1962. His death occurred while he was on duty, responding to a report of a dangerous suspect in the area. The man he was pursuing had moments earlier robbed a bank and killed two bank tellers in a nearby town.
Having been alerted that the suspect was heading into Troy, Youngblood went to a service station at the edge of town to ensure the owner's safety.
While inside, they heard a vehicle pull up to the rear of the building. As Youngblood crouched down to look outside through the front door, the suspect's vehicle came around to the front. The suspect fired a single shot from a. 45 caliber handgun, which struck Officer Youngblood in the chest.
The man fled the scene after shooting Youngblood, leading several officers and citizens on a pursuit. The chase ended in a local cemetery, where the suspect was killed in a shootout with law enforcement.
