Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Jim Kenney was shot and killed after responding to a complaint about a large party at a home on Commerce Street, near 12th Street, at 2:15 am. He and a suspect exchanged shots and both were struck several times. The suspect was apprehended after breaking into a nearby home. Patrolman Kenney's body was located several hours later at the scene of the shooting. The subject who shot him was paroled in 1971 and died two years later. Patrolman Kenney was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-5EC1DA77- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 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 Kenney served with the Wellsville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wellsville 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
James M. Kenney, Jr. served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman James M. Kenney, Jr. is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 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 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Wellsville Police Department, 2 of 2 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. James M. Kenney, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How James M. Kenney, Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James M. Kenney, Jr. is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James M. Kenney, Jr. was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
James M. Kenney, Jr. served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit James M. Kenney, Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wellsville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
