Nassau County Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Sunday, November 14, 1976
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: 1312
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Date of Incident: November 14, 1976
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Not available
Officer Kempen was accidentally shot and killed by another officer following a pursuit of a stolen vehicle on the Southern State Parkway.
When Officer Kempen arrived, a Long Island State Parkway Police patrolman was struggling with a suspect. The officer's weapon discharged during the struggle, and the round struck Officer Kempen.
The suspect, who was struggling with the patrolman, was sentenced to four years for criminally negligent homicide.
Officer Kempen had served with Nassau County Police Department for 15 years. He was survived by his wife and son.