Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Martin Kunkel was shot and killed at 82 Dayton Street by one of four burglars who had been caught breaking into a nearby home. The suspects had fled after being discovered and fired at responding officers. They continued to flee and encountered Patrolman Kunkel and another patrolman in the area of Dayton Street and Linn Street. The subjects and officers exchanged shots. Patrolman Kunkel's revolver misfired and was unable to be used, but he continued chasing the subjects to 82 Dayton Street, at which point one of the men shot him in the abdomen. Several men were arrested in connection with Patrolman Kunkel's murder but were never tried due to insufficient evidence. Patrolman Kunkel had served with the Cincinnati Police Division for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-60901CAA- 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
148 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Kunkel gave the Cincinnati Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cincinnati community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Martin Kunkel 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cincinnati Police Department, 63 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Martin Kunkel's cause is highlighted.
How Martin Kunkel Compares
Offender Outcome
Never tried
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Martin Kunkel is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Martin Kunkel was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
105 officers from Cincinnati Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
