West Covina Police Department, California
End of Watch Wednesday, August 31, 1983
Add to My HeroesKenneth Scott Wrede
Officer Kenneth Wrede was shot and killed after responding to a disturbance call at 12:19 p.m. Citizens had called the police after seeing a male under the influence of PCP acting bizarrely in the street at Francisquito Avenue and Glenview Road.
When Officer Wrede arrived, he struggled with the suspect momentarily before running back to his patrol car. The male also ran to the officer's patrol car. Because the man was high on PCP, he was able to rip the shotgun from the mounting bracket out of the vehicle's dashboard and shoot Officer Wrede with it. As a K-9 officer arrived on the scene, his dog took the suspect down. After being treated at a local hospital for dog bites, he was charged with murder and jailed.
The killer, 29, was sentenced to death, but the sentence was overturned by a federal appeals court in 2000. In July 2002, the killer was tried a second time and was again sentenced to death. As of December 3, 2022, he was on death row.
Officer Wrede had served with the West Covina Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and parents.
In 2007 a four-mile section of I-10 was dedicated as the West Covina Police Officer Kenneth Scott Wrede Memorial Highway in memory of Officer Wrede.
Bio
- Age 26
- Tour 3 years
- Badge 7
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Officer's shotgun
- Offender Sentenced to death
Most Recent Reflection
View all 79 ReflectionsOfficer Wrede,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of West Covina. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
August 31, 2023
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