Dedication: Constable Thomas Dean Jahelka Memorial Highway

On Sunday, November 13th, East Haddam police officers, family members and friends of former Constable Thomas Jahelka gathered for a ceremony and dedication to name a portion of roadway in East Haddam, as a way to pay tribute to one of East Haddam's finest for his service and sacrifice.

After serving the town of East Haddam for over 15 years as a constable, Jahelka was tragically struck and killed thirty years ago by an intoxicated driver on April 17, 1981. He was 43 years old.

Jahelka was off-duty at the time and in process of driving home after his evening patrol shift, at approximately one o'clock in the morning. For unknown reasons, he had initiated a motor vehicle stop on Mount Parnassus Road.

While Constable Jahelka was addressing the unidentified driver and standing near the car, another vehicle approached from the opposite direction. The approaching vehicle was operated by an individual who had been driving while under the influence of alcohol and at a high rate of speed. The driver struck and killed Jahelka.

It was reported that Jahelka died instantly. The drunk driver was arrested and convicted of speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol. The driver of the vehicle that had been pulled over left the scene of the accident and the identity of that operator has never been confirmed.

There were no portable radios or cell phones at that period in time for officers to notify the state police barracks at Troop K when any procedure or incident was in progress.

"It was a sad day for the town and people of East Haddam. We had lost one of our 'finest' in a tragic accident," said Corporal George Corbeil, a fellow officer who currently serves with the East Haddam Police Department.

"It was no surprise to me that (Tommy) would chase a law-breaker down and attempt to arrest him on his own. Something serious would have had to have happened to cause him to pursue this vehicle. Truth, I believe, will someday prevail. It has a way of finding it's way out."

Craig Mansfield, who also serves as constable and director of emergency management in East Haddam stated, "I did not have the pleasure of knowing Constable Jahelka, but everyone I talk to says how much of a caring and loving man he was to his family and friends and how dedicated he was to the community for which he served. We wanted to incorporate a way to honor Jahelka for his service and sacrifice to the town of East Haddam."

"To do this, when re-designing the arm patch that we wear on our uniforms every day, we chose to add his initials "TDJ" to the lower portion of the patch."

Mansfield related that he would like to ensure Jahelka's family that even for those of them that never knew him, his memory "goes to work with them each and every day" and he is in their thoughts and will never be forgotten.

State Senator Eileen Daily and Representative Linda Orange were also in attendance for the dedication ceremony to present a plaque to the family commemorating the newly named 'Constable Thomas Dean Jahelka Memorial Highway' and to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Jahelka's sister and East Haddam resident Linda Aldrich, accepted the plaque. "It was an amazing ceremony and wonderful honor for Tom and our family," she said.

Jahelka's wife, Susan, who currently resides out of state in Kansas, was very disappointed that she and their two daughters, Jeanne Ritchie who resides in Missouri and Jeanette Womble who now lives in South Carolina, were unable to attend the dedication. Sue is in process of moving to Missouri at this time. She was contacted by phone and said, "I always felt that Tom took very good care of his family and community--whether he was on duty or not and was always there for people no matter what."

"This dedication is a great honor for him," she said.

Bill Winakor, who now resides in Higganum, was a fellow East Haddam constable and Jahelka's best friend at the time, said  "He was one of the most dedicated guys on the job that I have ever met, and really 'took his job to heart' and set a great example for the other officers."

"He and I were inseparable, on the job or off."

Winakor reminisced about working on 'Boat Patrol' together. He and Jahelka were the pioneers in organizing the first water patrols, back in 1969-1970. They had pursued and received a grant from the DEP that gave East Haddam an allotted yearly budget for patrols of area lakes and sections of waterway along the Connecticut River. 

"When we first started out and until the town was able to purchase it's own boat, Tom used to take his own boat out for lake patrols!" Winakor exclaimed. The lake and river patrols continue in full force today, each and every summer here in East Haddam.

A sign that reads 'Constable Thomas D. Jahelka Memorial Highway', commemorating a 1.7 mile portion of roadway starting on Mount Parnassus Road at the intersection of Route 82, extending eastward to the area of Smith Road has been placed in honor of Constable Jahelka, this being the last stretch of highway he had ever traveled.