Lansing Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Wednesday, April 8, 1992
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: 8 years, 3 months
Badge Number: 612
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 8, 1992
Weapon Used: Handgun; .357 caliber
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Officer Kenneth Novak was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious vehicle at 172nd Street and Oak Avenue.
At 10:00 pm, Officer Novak had approached the vehicle and questioned its female occupant, who provided false identification. After returning to his squad car, a male subject emerged from a nearby wooded area and began firing six shots, wounding both Officer Novak and another officer. The other officer was able to return fire twice, killing the male suspect instantly. Officer Novak was transported to The Community Hospital in Munster, Indiana, where he died from his wounds despite wearing a bullet-resistant vest.
The male suspect, who was under house arrest for aggravated battery, had stolen a car and fled from Indianapolis with the female accomplice. She was later found guilty of attempted murder of the wounded officer and sentenced to 27 years in prison, but was found not guilty of the first-degree murder of Officer Novak.
Officer Novak had served with the Lansing Police Department for over eight years, beginning as a police cadet in December 1983, before becoming a part-time officer in April 1986. He also served as a full-time dispatcher and certified paramedic with the department. Officer Novak was survived by his parents and sister.