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Incident
Major Robert Kennedy, Sergeant Anthony Futrell of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and Deputy Richard Ashley of the Chowan County Sheriff's Department, were killed in an airplane accident while searching for marijuana crops in Chowan County at 3:30 pm.
Approximately 90 minutes into the second flight of the day, the Cessna 172-S experienced problems and crashed. Witnesses on the ground heard the engine sputter and saw the plane nose dive into the ground. There were no radio messages from the pilots indicating any problems.
Sergeant Futrell and Major Kennedy, both members of the Civil Air Patrol, were piloting the aircraft and acting as spotters. Deputy Ashley was directing ground units to locations spotted during the flight for further investigation.
Major Kennedy had served with the Boone Police Department for 27 years.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
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Tributes
27 years. You could have gone home.
Major Kennedy gave the Boone Police Department 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Boone community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Major Kennedy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Boone Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
Robert is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2002, 6 officers in NC were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 2002, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2002, 91 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 35th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 46. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35. Robert had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 5.4 years.
Robert was 46. 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. Robert had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 46. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Robert had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.8% of these deaths in NC; September holds the most, 12.7%. Wednesdays: 15.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Boone Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.9% of all 664 deaths in NC, 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Boone Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Boone Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
