New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Sunday, February 23, 1930
Age: 22
Tour of Duty: 2 months
Badge Number: 5113
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Date of Incident: February 23, 1930
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Keenan was accidentally shot and killed by another patrolman who mistook him for a suspect.
Patrolman Keenan was off-duty and riding in a taxi in the vicinity 6th Street and 1st Avenue when he observed what he thought was a robbery in progress. What he was in fact observing was two off duty patrolman chasing and attempting to arrest a man who had just assaulted another.
Patrolman Keenan exited the taxi and approached, and reached for his gun when one of the other off-duty patrolmen opened fire, striking Patrolman Keenan. Patrolman Keenan was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he died from his wound.
He was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor.
Patrolman Keenan had served with the New York City Police Department for two months and was assigned to the Police College, Recruit Training School, the present day Police Academy. He was survived by his mother.