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Kenneth Joseph Starrs
Incident
Assistant Commander Ken Starrs was killed when his department vehicle was struck by a Union Pacific freight train at a crossing on County Road 2140, near Highway 77, in Kleberg County.
Assistant Commander Starrs was en route to the task force office when the collision occurred at the unprotected crossing.
Assistant Commander Starrs had served with the South Texas Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force for over five years. He had previously served with the Corpus Christi Police Department for 27 years and the Port of Corpus Christi Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, two grandchildren, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
39 years. You could have gone home.
Assistant Commander Starrs gave the South Texas Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force 39 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Kingsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Assistant Commander Starrs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Kenneth is the only officer of South Texas Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force remembered here.
Kenneth is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2016, 8 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 14th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 2016, 52 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2016, 52 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 101st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Kenneth was 66. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Kenneth had served 39 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Kenneth was 66. 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. Kenneth had served 39 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kenneth was 66. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Kenneth had served 39 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 5.6% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Wednesdays: 16.1%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at South Texas Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from South Texas Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force are honored on badge.nw.