Lieutenant Jessie was killed in an automobile accident while chasing a stolen vehicle. Officers observed the vehicle leaving a service station and attemtped to stop it. During the chase the suspect was able to elude the officers but was located by Lieutenant Jessie, who began to chase it again. During the pursuit Lieutenant Jessie's 1963 Plymouth detective's car went out of control and overturned. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect was later found hiding in an abandoned car. Lieutenant Jessie had been named Officer of the Year the previous year. He had been with the agency for ten years.p