Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Dennis Whalen was shot and killed while questioning two men in a pawnshop at 1519 East 18th Street. The men had entered and attempted to pawn a watch but refused the amount offered. Patrolman Whalen, who was in the store, asked to see the watch. A struggle ensued and one of the men shot him. He was taken to a local hospital where he died the following day. Before he died a suspect, 21, was taken to his bedside and he identified him as the gunman. The suspect, charged with first degree murder, said he was no where near the pawnshop and had a credible alibi. He was released and the charge was dropped. On April 30, 1912, Patrolman Waylen then a sergeant, single-handed, captured two men who had shot and killed Patrolman Andrew Lynch minutes earlier. Patrolman Whalen had served with the Kansas City Police Department for 34 years and had been reappointed as a patrolman after retiring as a captain.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-85DF1A9C- 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
34 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Whalen gave the Kansas City Police Department 34 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Whalen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Dennis J. Whalen 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Kansas City Police Department, 72 of 120 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dennis J. Whalen's cause is highlighted.
How Dennis J. Whalen Compares
Offender Outcome
At large
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dennis J. Whalen is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dennis J. Whalen was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
119 officers from Kansas City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
