Jack Dean Werner, a 33-year-old deputy sheriff from Rochester, Minnesota, tragically lost his life on May 17, 1977. Deputy Werner was attempting to stop a suspect who was driving erratically in the deserted Apache Mall parking lot. The suspect, armed with a sawed-off shotgun, opened fire on Deputy Werner, striking him twice in the chest. Despite the immediate danger, Deputy Werner's actions were in line with his duty to protect the community.
The suspect, a 20-year-old man, fled the
scene in Deputy Werner's patrol car but was apprehended four hours later. The suspect was subsequently convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on September 21, 1977. This conviction was a significant step in ensuring justice for Deputy Werner's untimely death.
In a subsequent incident on September 20, 1980, the same suspect was involved in another violent act while incarcerated. He killed a fellow inmate at Stillwater Prison, which led to an additional 14 years being added to his life sentence on May 19, 1981. Deputy Werner's sacrifice is remembered by his colleagues and the community he served, and his legacy continues to be honored.
