Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Ralph Kennerly succumbed to wounds when he was shot while attempting to arrest a man near Franklin Mill in Concord.
A subject had escaped prison, and Officer Kennerly received information that the man was in the area. When he approached the subject, the man turned around and shot him three times. Officer Kennerly was able to return fire, striking the subject five times.
Officer Kennerly succumbed to his wounds two days later.
The subject survived his wounds and was sentenced to 20 years. He escaped prison in 1921 and 1929. He was released, arrested for robbery, and escaped again. In December 1934, he was shot and killed by his neighbor.
Officer Kennerly was a North Carolina State National Guard and United States World War I Military Police veteran who had served with the Concord Police Department for ten months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-B9AE02D6- 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 Kennerly served with the Concord Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Concord community. Thank you 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
Ralph C. Kennerly served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Ralph C. Kennerly 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Concord Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ralph C. Kennerly's cause is highlighted.
How Ralph C. Kennerly Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ralph C. Kennerly is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ralph C. Kennerly was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Concord Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
