Clinton in Clinton CountyEdwin Harry Jacobs, a 55-year-old veteran who served with the 1032 Signal Company during World War II, was shot to death on Sunday morning, January 2, 1972, near the Izaak Walton league clubhouse in Clinton County, Iowa.
According to a Clinton Herald article dated January 3, 1972, investigators were summoned to a heavily wooded area near the clubhouse — known as “Ike’s Peak” — by nearby residents who said they heard gunshots.
Clinton municipal employee Herbert Wyncoop found Jacobs’ body at the edge of a road near the Ike’s Peak parking lot.
Courtesy photo Clinton HeraldOfficials said Jacobs was killed by three slugs from a .22 caliber weapon. The WWII vet had been shot twice in the right temple and also suffered one bullet wound to the chest.
Police questioned dozens of individuals throughout the day in connection with the shooting. Clinton Police Chief H.J. Fries said there was no sign of a struggle and that no murder weapon was recovered from the crime scene.
Det. Capt. Donald Flood headed up the investigation, and during an interview with Jacobs’ brother, Richard Jacobs, learned the victim had spent Saturday evening with Richard Jacobs and some friends. Richard Jacobs stated he’d dropped off his brother at the Bossen Apartments, located at 214 4th Ave. South in Clinton, about 10 p.m. Saturday night.
Edwin Jacobs’ murder remains unsolved and is under the jurisdiction of the Clinton Police Department.
Courtesy photo Pamela Moreno, findagrave.comEdwin Harry Jacobs was born January 9, 1916, to Harry and Mary (Mullahey) Jacobs. He was one of eight siblings.
He married Janet Michelsen on August 18, 1947.
He served as a private in the US Army Signal Corps during World War II, and lived in California before moving to Clinton, Iowa, in 1967.
Memorial services were held January 5, 1972, at St. Mary’s Church in Clinton, with burial following at the Rock Island National Cemetery in Rock Island, Illinois.
Anyone with information regarding Edwin Jacobs’ unsolved murder is asked to contact the Clinton Police Department at (563) 243-1458.
Tj, law enforcement have made mistakes over the years. Here in Chicago, some detectives blamed two young black boys with murdering an 11- year old black girl. However, it was later learned that an adult male killer her. They also get stuck with tunnel vision when it comes to who committed the crime.
I was just asking questions to see if someone could put together some information on to why he might been there. If many veterans hung out there maybe someone had a problem. They have been many fights between active duty military over the years.
As a former submarine sailor we were ready to take on many surface ship Navy guys in Naples, Italy, many years ago. Also, I am a nosy guy, it comes with job I did for about more then 20 years, at a two VA Medical Centers.
Serving in the war…then at home, gets killed. So sad. He had a lot of life left in him.
I would assume that their was a reason why he went there. He was dropped off at an apartment building at about 10:00 pm. Saturday night. I assume he lived there. So, its possible that someone called him or made previous arrangement to meet him there.
So, did any other residents of this apartment building, hear a him get a phone call, anytime after 10:00 pm. There is no mention of the time when they heard the gunshots. I assume that their were no shell casings, otherwise they would have mentioned if they came from a rifle or pistol.
It’s interesting that a number of veterans have been murdered in Iowa. I guess they did not earn the respect they deserved for serving their country.
Maybe he didn’t live there. Don’t assume he did. Maybe he was with a friend there. The Izaak Walton League halls were a busy social place for veterans, and stayed open until the wee hours of the morning. Your assumptions lead you to ask senseless questions, here and on other posts. You act as if you are smarter than law enforcement, which frankly, I can tell you are not.