Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch Friday, June 7, 1968
Add to My HeroesKenneth B. Royal
Deputy Kenneth Royal was shot and killed while responding as a backup officer to a felony car stop. Another officer had just stopped a vehicle which was suspected of being used in an armed robbery minutes earlier and one of the suspects had fled into the woods. As Deputy Royal was covered by other officers he began to approach the second suspect who was still in the vehicle. The suspect began to exit the vehicle and then suddenly pulled out a handgun and opened fire, fatally wounding Deputy Royal. Other officers on the scene returned fire and wounded the suspect.
The suspect was convicted of armed robbery and first degree murder and sentenced to death on October 25, 1968. His sentence was later commuted to life. On December 2, 1973, he escaped from San Quentin Prison. Before being captured four days later in Pinole, California, he committed two armed robberies, kidnapped a family of four, and attempted to crash through a police road block. He was taken into custody after being shot and wounded by Contra Costa County Deputies.
Deputy Royal was survived by his wife and four children.
Bio
- Age 36
- Tour Not available
- Badge 357
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 20 ReflectionsMy Aunt Edna (Royal) Musial was Officer Royal's sister. My mom knew the Royal's from the early 50's while attending San Juan High School. When I was ten years old I remember my mom crying, "They shot Kenny". I knew from that day forward being a Law Enforcement Officer is dangerous work. God bless Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Royal and his family. God bless all police officers for their bravery and courage to show up for work every day or night.
Joe Neuburger, Jr.
October 13, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Lieutenant Jeff Bain
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, AL
EOW: January 3, 2021

Correctional Officer David A. Christensen
Washington State Department of Corrections, WA
EOW: December 29, 2020

Lieutenant John Reynolds
Garden Grove Police Department, CA
EOW: January 17, 2021

Corrections Officer Joseph A. Martini
Ulster County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: January 17, 2021

Police Officer Arturo Villegas
Alamo Police Department, GA
EOW: January 10, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Jon Melvin
Grant County Sheriff's Office, WA
EOW: December 11, 2020

Deputy Sheriff Adam Gibson
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 18, 2021

Police Officer Brandon Stalker
Toledo Police Department, OH
EOW: January 18, 2021

Police Officer Jay Hughes
Kalispel Tribal Police Department, TR
EOW: January 6, 2021