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Incident
Officer Kenneth McWethy was shot and killed after searching for a suspicious man whom he observed running out of an auto parts store at 4:15 pm. Unbeknownst to Officer McWethy, the man had just robbed the store at gunpoint. Upon observing the individual run towards an alley, he made a U-turn, radioed in his location, and parked facing toward the alley. The suspect, however, had hidden in some bushes and ambushed Officer McWethy as he still sat in his cruiser on Pacific Avenue near Broadway Boulevard SE in Albuquerque. The subject walked up to the cruiser and opened fire from approximately ten feet away. Officer McWethy's vest stopped the first five rounds, but when he lifted his arm to protect himself, he was shot several times in the chest. He was transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect was tried twice and ended with hung juries in both trials and was never convicted of Officer McWethy's murder. He did plead guilty to armed robbery and being a habitual offender and was sentenced to a long prison term. He died in prison on July 28, 2002. Officer McWethy had served with the Albuquerque Police Department for three years. He was survived by his parents and several brothers. His father served as a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and several brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer McWethy gave the Albuquerque Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albuquerque community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer McWethy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Albuquerque Police Department has lost 15 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Kenneth is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1986, 1 officer at Albuquerque Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1886, with 2.
In 1986, 2 officers in NM were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1986, 98 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1986, 112 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Kenneth was 23. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Albuquerque Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 46.3; the middle age was 35.5. Kenneth had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Kenneth was 23. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37. Kenneth had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kenneth was 23. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Kenneth had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kenneth was 23. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Kenneth had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 30.8% of these deaths at Albuquerque Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 23.1%.
February holds 14.6% of these deaths in NM, more than any other month. Saturdays: 17.1%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 86.7% of all 15 deaths at Albuquerque Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.7% of all 193 deaths in NM, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Albuquerque Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Kenneth among them.
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E. D. Henry
Nov 20, 1886
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Robert McGuire
Nov 26, 1886
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Alexander Knapp Jan 15, 1912
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Donald W. Redfern
Aug 15, 1951
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Frank A. Sjolander, Jr.
Dec 1, 1954
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Richard Armijo
Sep 30, 1958
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Max R. Oldham
Feb 21, 1959
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Philip Horace Chacon
Sep 10, 1980
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Gerald Eugene Cline
Feb 24, 1983
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Kenneth Shawn McWethy
Feb 1, 1986
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John Arthur Carrillo
Feb 22, 1987
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Jeffrey Cole Russell
Jan 8, 2002
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Michael R. King
Aug 18, 2005
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Richard W. Smith, Jr.
Aug 18, 2005
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Daniel Scott Webster
Oct 29, 2015
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Albuquerque Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
