On the evening of September 26, 1903, a dutiful patrol through the downtown area of Attalla, Alabama, turned fatal for the town's Chief of Police, Alfred Pinkney Jenkins. The 32-year-old male chief, who had been with the police department for less than a year, was passing by Fowler's Saloon when the sound of gunshots from the rear of the establishment drew his attention.
As he went to investigate, he discovered two men shooting at an elderly individual.
Chief Jenkins attempted to arrest the two assailants, but a struggle broke out. During the altercation, one of the suspects fatally shot him. The two men then fled the scene. Their escape was short-lived, however, as they were soon spotted by another patrolman. When the officer ordered them to stop, they opened fire, injuring the patrolman in the arm. The patrolman returned fire, wounding one of the fleeing suspects.
The injured suspect was later apprehended when he sought medical attention for his wound. On December 20, 1903, he was convicted of Chief Jenkins's murder and subsequently sentenced to life in prison. His time in incarceration came to an end on August 21, 1911, when he died from injuries sustained in a coal mine explosion while serving his sentence. At the time of his death, Chief Jenkins was survived by his wife and four children.
