Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-ECA8345E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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
Officer Kenneth Shawn McWethy is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In NM, 123 of 193 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.7% of this state's fallen. That is 63.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Albuquerque Police Department, 13 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 86.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Kenneth Shawn McWethy's cause is highlighted.
How Kenneth Shawn McWethy Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Kenneth Shawn McWethy is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Kenneth Shawn McWethy was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Albuquerque Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
