Frank A. Kania Sr.
Agency patch
Patrol Officer

Frank A. Kania Sr.

Felonious
End of Watch May 24, 1979
Age 32
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
The Vigil Panel 121 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Kania was killed when his patrol car was struck head-on by a drunk driver on Ogeechee Road near the Savannah Speedway. The drunk driver crossed the center line, side-swiped the vehicle in front of Officer Kania, and then struck his vehicle head-on. The drunk driver was charged with vehicular homicide, DUI, and driving too fast for conditions. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison and 5 years probation. Officer Kania had served with the Chatham County Police Department for 7 years and had previously served with the Savannah Police Department.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Patrol Officer Kania gave the Chatham County Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Savannah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Kania.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Savannah, Chatham County, GA
Platform Identity ccpd.chatham.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 24, 1979
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 32
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Automobile

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 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 1979, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Frank was 32. 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. Frank had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Chatham County Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Frank among them.

Patrol Officer Frank A. Kania Sr.

Chatham County Police Department · End of Watch May 24, 1979

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-W

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