Joseph P. Keenan
Agency patch
Patrolman

Joseph P. Keenan

Kansas City Police Department — Kansas City, MO
Accident
End of Watch June 2, 1903
Age 31
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
The Vigil Panel 18 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Joseph Keenan drowned while attempting to rescue three men during a period of severe flooding of the Missouri River. He was in a boat taking the men to safe ground when it capsized, throwing everyone into the water at Santa Fe and West Ninth Street at 12:45 pm. When Patrolman Keenan fell into the water, he struck his head on a telegraph pole. The other three men were rescued, but Patrolman Keenan drowned. Patrolman Keenan had served with the Kansas City Police Department for three years. He was survived by his mother, sister, and three brothers. One of his brothers also served with the Kansas City Police Department.

Survivors

He was survived by his mother, sister, and three brothers.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Keenan gave the Kansas City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Keenan.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Kansas City, Cass County, MO
Platform Identity kcpd.jackson.mo.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 2, 1903
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 31
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Joseph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1903, 12 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 133rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Joseph was 31. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Kansas City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Joseph P. Keenan

Kansas City Police Department · End of Watch June 2, 1903

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W

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