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Incident
Officer Kenneth Wrede was shot and killed after responding to a disturbance call at 12:19 p.m. Citizens had called the police after seeing a male under the influence of PCP acting bizarrely in the street at Francisquito Avenue and Glenview Road. When Officer Wrede arrived, he struggled with the suspect momentarily before running back to his patrol car. The male also ran to the officer's patrol car. Because the man was high on PCP, he was able to rip the shotgun from the mounting bracket out of the vehicle's dashboard and shoot Officer Wrede with it. As a K-9 officer arrived on the scene, his dog took the suspect down. After being treated at a local hospital for dog bites, he was charged with murder and jailed. The killer, 29, was sentenced to death, but the sentence was overturned by a federal appeals court in 2000. In July 2002, the killer was tried a second time and was again sentenced to death. As of December 3, 2022, he was on death row. Officer Wrede had served with the West Covina Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and parents. In 2007 a four-mile section of I-10 was dedicated as the West Covina Police Officer Kenneth Scott Wrede Memorial Highway in memory of Officer Wrede.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Officer Wrede gave the West Covina Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the West Covina community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Wrede.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
West Covina Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Kenneth is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1983, 12 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Kenneth was 26. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Kenneth had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kenneth was 26. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Kenneth had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kenneth was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Kenneth had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at West Covina Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's shotgun, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's shotgun, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's shotgun, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
West Covina Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Kenneth among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from West Covina Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
