Divorce and the Deadly Ending in Police Families
Alabama -- Alabama State Trooper Jennifer Jacobs was shot by her ex-husband Ferral Scott Jacobs Thursday night, after a disagreement. After shooting her, he then turned the gun on himself. News 4 spent time with fellow comrades and neighbors of Jennifer Jacobs. They reflected on her life as a trooper, friend and mother. Co-workers say Alabama State Trooper Jacobs loved her job. Before becoming a trooper, she served as an Ozark police officer for two years. There, leaders say even though she's no longer on the force, it's hard to deal with the tragedy. "Some of the officers were closer to her than others. They are taking it pretty tough," says Ozark Police Chief Tony Spivey. “She worked the roads everyday. She worked this area. She was from here. She was originally assigned to the Selma Post and later transferred down here for family reasons,” says Alabama State Trooper Corporal Tracy Nelson. Trooper Jacobs was sworn in as an Alabama state trooper last June. Authorities say she started at the Elba Post and transferred to the Dothan Post to be closer to her family. "They were nice neighbors. I wouldn’t ask for anybody to be any better. I’m telling the truth," says neighbor Eddie Hayes. “Mr. Jacobs was a fine man as far as I know. I liked him,” says another neighbor. “She was always helpful, energetic; no task was to menial for her. She was just one of those employees. She was a pleasure to work with,” said another co-worker. Trooper Jacobs and her husband Ferrell Scott Jacobs recently divorced. Police say they were arguing about that divorce and custody of their almost three-year-old son when the violence broke out. Neighbors say they never saw this coming. "He was always a great guy to us. We haven't heard from him in a month though," said neighbors Friday. Together, the couple has one child. Jennifer Jacobs has two other children from a previous marriage. All three children are now with the victim's mother. Officials say Trooper Jacobs was pronounced dead at the scene. Ferrell Jacobs was transferred to Flowers Hospital in Dothan, and died several hours later. |
