Police pursuit ends in death of hijacker

Afetr a long pursuit, a train hijacker was shot and killed by a New York City policeman on Sunday afternoon.

Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle ended the run of suspected assassin Pierre Jeantot, 36, of Nice, France, at 4:08 p.m. at the bottom of the steps to the platform of the 15th St. elevated railway station.

Jeantot hijacked the train at the 35th St. Station, where Doyle commandeered a car and pursued the train until the fatal confrontation at 15th St. Station.

The Frenchman arrived in the United States on a flight from Paris, France, on Nov. 4, Homeland Security reports. Jeantot was suspected in a plot to smuggle a large shipment of heroin into the United States.

Two other men thought to be involved in the smuggling operation are being sought at this time.

Doyle's use of deadly force was called for, as Jeantot had taken several shots at Doyle earlier in the day from the rooftop of the 1767 W. 57th Ave. apartment building. He had also shot and killed a bystander: Betty B. Badluck , 63, of the Bronx, while walking with her granddaughter earlier in the day.

New York City Police Commissioner Ruth L. Ess said that, although the pursuit ended in the loss of a life, the police commission commends Detective Doyle for his bravery.

"We would have preferred to see Jeantot prosecuted in courts," Ess said. "And We believe Doyle was close to a breakthrough on the case. We commend Detective Doyle for his bravery and quick-thinking under very trying circumstances."

She also said that the police commission will comtinue a vigorous and thorough investigation into what appears to be a major smuggling operation.

"We will not sit while drug dealers walk our streets," she said.