Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable William Kinney was shot and killed while accompanying a homeowner to his home in Hallville.
A tenant at the home had not been paying rent and the homeowner was attempting to evict him. When they arrived at the home the tenant opened fire with a .32 caliber rifle, killing Constable Kinney and mortally wounding the homeowner. The homeowner died from his wounds six weeks later.
The 38-year-old subject fled and was arrested two weeks later in East Liverpool, Ohio. He was returned to Connecticut where he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison. He was released at some point before November 26, 1930, a date he was convicted of a crime involving his 13-year-old daughter in Liverpool, Ohio.
Constable Kinney was survived by his wife and parents.
Survivors
Constable Kinney was survived by his wife and parents.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-CT-B40BDD1E- Stewardship
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- 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.
Constable Kinney served with the Preston Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Preston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Kinney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable William Kinney 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 CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Kinney's cause is highlighted.
How William Kinney Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Kinney is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Kinney was killed by rifle; .32 caliber carbine.