Chicago Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Friday, June 19, 1970
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: 2662
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 19, 1970
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 30 to 125 years
Patrolman Kenneth G. Kaner was shot and killed when he was ambushed by a suspect in a missing child case.
Patrolman Kaner was sitting in his squad near 71st Street and Union Street. Five assailants approached and one fired a 12-gauge shotgun through the open passenger side window. Patrolman Kaner was mortally wounded when he was shot in the right side of the face.
The five gunmen were stopped within minutes for a traffic violation. The shotgun and the officer's weapon were found during the traffic stop and the offenders were arrested.
The killer was sentenced to 30 to 125 years. He has been denied parole in 2007 and 2012. In July of 2020 he had another parole hearing. His projected release date is January 27, 2021.
Patrolman Kaner is survived by his wife, daughter, and son. His son followed in his footsteps and became a member of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Marine unit where a boat has been named in father's memory.