By Kim Bell
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
SWANSEA, Ill. — An East St. Louis police captain who retired after nearly 30 years patrolling the streets of one of the most dangerous cities in America has died in what authorities are calling a freak accident with a pistol at his home in Swansea.
Sherman Jumper Sr., 70, was in his garage Wednesday when he apparently dropped a black zippered case holding a small semi-automatic pistol, Swansea Police Chief Steve Johnson said. The gun discharged, and a single shot hit Jumper in the head. He died at the scene.
A man across the street saw Jumper leave his house and walk into his garage holding a trash bag, police said. The witness saw Jumper bend down, then heard a loud pop. He saw Jumper fall backward onto the ground. No one else was in the garage or nearby.
Paramedics rushed to the scene, in the 1800 block of Dalton Drive, about 2 p.m., but Jumper was dead.
Investigators found the small case, with a bullet hole in it, next to the trash bag. A pistol and spent shell casing were inside.
Amelia Jumper said her husband routinely carried the pistol in a satchel, along with his identification. She was not home when the incident happened. She called it a tragic accident and said she was grateful that the garage door had been up and that a neighbor had seen what had happened.
Swansea police said “the totality of the evidence indicates this incident was a horrible accident.”
Johnson added, “In honoring the victim, it is a good reminder of firearms’ safety and handling.”
Sherman Jumper had served almost 29 years with the East St. Louis force. He retired in 1999.
Amelia Jumper said her husband never was hurt on the job. “We would talk about the violence he saw. Some of the things he would see, the violence, it was hard to keep those images out of his head,” his wife said. “But he was never injured (on duty). He had a very good career.”
After his retirement, he enrolled in Lindenwood University at the age of 65 and obtained a criminal justice degree. “He had always wanted a degree so he just did it,” his wife said. “He graduated with a perfect 4.0” grade point average.
After his police career, Jumper also worked at Gateway Classic Cars, in O’Fallon, Ill., and, later, as a funeral director for Serenity Memorial Chapel. He loved collecting cars, his wife said, and his collection had included a Rolls Royce, a Zimmer and a Plymouth Prowler. He also won numerous car shows. He was featured in a Post-Dispatch article in 2000 about his car collection.
Jumper is survived by his wife, four children, one stepson and 11 grandchildren. One son preceded him in death. Funeral arrangements were incomplete at the Serenity Memorial Chapel, at 3416 West Main Street in Belleville.
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