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Incident
Sergeant Arthur McKenna was shot and killed with his own service weapon after being assaulted in an unprovoked attack.
He was on duty at approximately 2:00 am, eating breakfast at a local diner on 38th Street, when a man walked up behind him, grabbed his gun, and shot him twice in the back. Two nearby officers who heard the shots ran into the diner and arrested the man, who was later learned to be a self-proclaimed cop-hater.
Sergeant McKenna was taken to North Hudson Hospital, where he died a short time later.
The suspect, 22, was apprehended, convicted of murder, and sentenced to 30 years in prison. He was denied parole on June 13, 1958.
Sergeant McKenna was a United States World War I veteran and served with the Union City Police Department for 21 years.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Arthur is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant McKenna gave the Union City Police Department 21 years.
Thank you for your service to the Union City community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Arthur McKenna served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Union City Police Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Arthur is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 remembered there.
Arthur is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Arthur is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1947, 2 officers in NJ were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 1947, 86 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 74th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1947, 87 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Arthur was 53. Of the 247 killed feloniously in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Arthur had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Arthur was 53. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Arthur had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Arthur was 53. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Arthur had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10.2% of these deaths in NJ; September holds the most, 23.9%. Thursdays: 13.3%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Union City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 40.8% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 9.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Union City Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Arthur among them.
Where
Military Service
Arthur McKenna served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Arthur McKenna’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Union City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
