Clay County Sheriff's Office, Kansas
End of Watch: Tuesday, November 16, 1999
Age: 62
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 16, 1999
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Charged with premeditated murder
Deputy Sheriff James Kenney was shot and killed as he and other officers were attempting to arrest a jail escapee.
The suspect and two other inmates overpowered two corrections officers and escaped from a local jail. The two other inmates were arrested soon thereafter, however, the suspect escaped to his home. Deputy Kenney, and his canine Copper, went to the house to arrest him and was met with gunfire. Both he and Copper were shot and killed.
The suspect was then arrested by other officers and charged with premeditated first-degree murder and with inflicting death on a police dog.
Deputy Kenney had served in law enforcement for 15 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.