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Henry M. Kenaga
Incident
Officer Henry Kenaga was shot and killed while attempting to prevent a prison escape. Several inmates had stormed the visitor's room with guns and knives and taken six hostages. As they attempted to cross the prison yard, they were confronted by Officer Kenaga. As Officer Kenaga attempted to stop them, he was shot. The suspects were stopped by other officers and were returned to their cells. Six inmates, 22, 24, 24, 24, 27, and 34, were charged with first-degree murder. The oldest was identified as Officer Kenaga's killer. The guns the inmates used were .22 caliber pistols that they made themselves. A girlfriend of one of the inmates smuggled him the bullets. Five inmates were convicted of first-degree murder and got a life term added to their sentences. On May 30, 1968, one of those inmates, the youngest, was burned to death when two inmates set him on fire after dousing him with a flammable liquid. Officer Kenaga was a United States World War I Army veteran and served with the Kansas Department of Corrections for 25 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Correctional Officer Kenaga gave the Kansas Department of Corrections 25 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kansas, 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
Henry M. Kenaga served in the the United States military (1918â1919) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kansas Department of Corrections has lost 12 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Henry is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Henry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Henry 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 1954, 1 officer at Kansas Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1954, 3 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1954, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1954, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Henry was 58. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Kansas Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 39.5 and 50.5; the middle age was 43. Henry had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Henry was 58. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Henry had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Henry was 58. 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. Henry had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henry was 58. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Henry had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 12.5% of these deaths at Kansas Department of Corrections; October holds the most, 37.5%. Sundays: 50%.
June holds 5.5% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 13.9%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 12 deaths at Kansas Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.4% 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, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Kansas Department of Corrections has 12 officers remembered here, Henry among them.
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William H. Owens Oct 5, 1905
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David W. Burns Dec 15, 1923
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Lee White Jul 26, 1928
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Henry M. Kenaga
Jun 20, 1954
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Paul J. Weber
Oct 19, 1976
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Donald R. Martin
Aug 19, 1978
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Burch D. Slote Jul 6, 1980
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Robert D. Hurd Oct 11, 1981
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Mark L. Avery
May 23, 1993
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George Bernard Robare
May 11, 2020
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Olufela A. Adebiyi
May 12, 2020
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Gabe Morales
Dec 22, 2020
Military Service
Henry M. Kenaga served in the U.S. Army (1918–1919) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Henry M. Kenaga’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 27-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Kansas Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
