Patrolman Jay F. Brunkella, 39, died from injuries sustained during an undercover narcotics operation near Stephen F. Gale Elementary School in Chicago. The operation on September 22, 1986 involved Brunkella and his partner, Patrolman Fred Hattenberger, working to address complaints of drug sales at the school. Officers observed 28-year-old Allison Jenkins conducting drug transactions; a struggle followed when Jenkins tried to flee. During that struggle Hattenberger’s service pistol discharged and the bullet struck Brunkella in the chest, passing through his left lung. Brunkella was taken to St. Francis Hospital and later transferred to Lutheran General Hospital for hyperbaric treatment but died on October 4, 1986.

Jenkins was initially charged with aggravated battery, possession of marijuana and resisting arrest; after Brunkella’s death she was charged with murder and later sentenced to 20 years in prison. The shooting prompted scrutiny of department policies on firearms with sensitive triggers and hollow-nosed bullets, and Brunkella’s widow filed a negligence lawsuit against the department. Brunkella is honored as a line-of-duty death on the Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall.

Does anyone have additional information about the operation near Stephen F. Gale Elementary School or about the policy changes that followed?