West Deptford Police Department, New Jersey
End of Watch Wednesday, October 18, 2000
Add to My HeroesKenneth Dechen
Lieutenant Dechen was killed after he was accidentally shot while cleaning his department-issued pistol.
The officer had just completed his department's semi-annual qualifications and was cleaning his .40 caliber Sig Sauer when the weapon discharged. He was shot in the abdomen. He was transported to a local hospital where he died approximately one hour later.
Lieutenant Dechen had been employed with the West Deptford Police Department for 23 years. He is survived by his wife and three teen-age children.
Bio
- Age 44
- Tour 23 years
- Badge 48
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Most Recent Reflection
View all 29 ReflectionsThank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will always be remembered. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
August 8, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024