Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Kenneth Moraska was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance. When Patrolman Moraska arrived at the scene of the domestic dispute he reportedly found the front door locked and in an attempt to enter the building approached the rear door. As he approached the rear door of the house he was shot in the head with a hunting rifle. The suspect had been previously arrested by Patrolman Moraska for disorderly conduct. After shooting Patrolman Moraska, the man stole Patrolman Moraska's gun and led other officers on a 6-hour chase before being apprehended. On December 1st, 1971, the suspect, 23, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. As of October 5, 2022, he was still in prison. Patrolman Moraska was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and had served with the Norway Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife and child. In May 2017, Route 2 in Norway was renamed Kenneth J. Moraska Memorial Highway.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-CE5A712F- 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 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.
Patrolman Moraska gave the Norway Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Norway community, 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
Kenneth Joseph Moraska served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Kenneth Joseph Moraska 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 MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Kenneth Joseph Moraska's cause is highlighted.
How Kenneth Joseph Moraska Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Kenneth Joseph Moraska is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Kenneth Joseph Moraska was killed by rifle; .30-.30.