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Harley Leroy Kinnear
Incident
Location: Ohio Incident Date: Thursday, July 11, 1946 Weapon: Handgun; .38 caliber Offender: Executed in 1948
Detective Harley Kinnear succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous night when he was shot while interrupting the burglary of a boxcar in Cleveland, Ohio.
He encountered three men breaking into a boxcar at E. 68th Street and Colfax Road and ordered them to approach them. As they did so one of the men suddenly drew a .38 caliber revolver and shot him in the spine. He was taken to a local hospital where he died the following night.
All three men were arrested in Little Rock, Arkansas, and extradited back to Cleveland. All three were sentenced to death for a second murder committed in Cleveland and subsequently executed in 1948.
Detective Kinnear was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and had served with the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 8-month-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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.
Detective Kinnear gave the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Thank you 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
Harley Leroy Kinnear served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad Police Department has lost 10 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Harley is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Harley is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Harley 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 1946, 3 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1946, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1946, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harley was 38. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Harley had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Harley was 38. 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. Harley had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harley was 38. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Harley had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 13.3%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 10 deaths at New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.9% 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 handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, Harley among them.
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Harry J. Noble Apr 26, 1911
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George S. Striebich
Sep 12, 1914
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Arthur W. Stanley Jun 25, 1917
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Edward Michael Brady
Nov 21, 1923
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Jack W. Laicy Nov 24, 1923
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Charles A. Ralston
Feb 18, 1924
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Walter Mark Abell Aug 2, 1928
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Charles Russell Ladd Sep 21, 1931
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Harley Leroy Kinnear Jul 12, 1946
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John H. Shafer
May 25, 1953
Where
Military Service
Harley Leroy Kinnear served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Harley Leroy Kinnear’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
