Billy F. "Bubba" Kennedy
Deputy Sheriff

Billy F. "Bubba" Kennedy

Felonious
End of Watch October 2, 2013
Age 38
Tour of Duty 14 yrs
The Vigil Panel 162 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Billy Kennedy was shot and killed after responding to a larceny call at a convenience store on South Burleson Avenue, in McCamey, at approximately 11:15 pm.

After he arrived at the scene he encountered a male subject and the two exchanged gunfire. Despite being mortally wounded, Deputy Kennedy was able to return fire and wounded the suspect.

In June 2019 the subject was convicted of Deputy Kennedy's murder and was sentenced to death.

Deputy Kennedy had served in law enforcement for 14 years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and two sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-7C3B5349
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
April 2, 2026
Last updated
July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Kennedy gave the Upton County Sheriff's Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rankin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Kennedy.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Rankin, TX
Platform Identity ucso.upton.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 2, 2013
Tour of Duty 14 yrs
Age 38
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Sentenced to death

Deputy Sheriff Billy F. "Bubba" Kennedy is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Upton County Sheriff's Dept., 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.

Upton County Sheriff's Dept.
2
of 5 officers
40% Felonious
TX — Statewide
1,463
of 2,421 officers
60.4% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Billy F. "Bubba" Kennedy's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Billy F. "Bubba" Kennedy Compares

Age at End of Watch
38
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
14
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to death

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Billy F. "Bubba" Kennedy is highlighted in Oct.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Billy F. "Bubba" Kennedy was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location