Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 28, 1970
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 21 years
Badge Number: 8/108
Cause of Death: Automobile crash
Date of Incident: October 28, 1970
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Lieutenant James Kirkendall was killed in an automobile collision involving two trucks on US Route 33 near St. Johns.
Lieutenant Kirkendall was traveling west on the rain-slicked road and clipped the left rear of a dump truck while changing lanes. His patrol vehicle spun into the eastbound lane and was struck by another truck.
Lieutenant Kirkendall was a WWII veteran who had served with the Ohio State Highway Patrol for 21 years and served as the commander of the Van Wert Post. He was survived by his wife and two children.