Prev
Incident
Constable William Kinney was shot and killed while accompanying a homeowner to his home in Hallville.
A tenant at the home had not been paying rent and the homeowner was attempting to evict him. When they arrived at the home the tenant opened fire with a .32 caliber rifle, killing Constable Kinney and mortally wounding the homeowner. The homeowner died from his wounds six weeks later.
The 38-year-old subject fled and was arrested two weeks later in East Liverpool, Ohio. He was returned to Connecticut where he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison. He was released at some point before November 26, 1930, a date he was convicted of a crime involving his 13-year-old daughter in Liverpool, Ohio.
Constable Kinney was survived by his wife and parents.
Survivors
Constable Kinney was survived by his wife and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqbyhmp7y07m890zs39d- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Kinney served with the Preston Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Preston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Kinney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Preston Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 74 officers killed feloniously in CT, 43.8% of the 169 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1918, 1 officer in CT was killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 4.
In 1918, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1918, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 36. Of the 70 killed feloniously in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 46.5; the middle age was 39.
William was 36. 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.
William was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 13.5% of these deaths in CT, more than any other month. Mondays: 16.2%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Preston Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle; .32 caliber carbine, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 43.8% of all 169 deaths in CT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; .32 caliber carbine, in 1.4% 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 rifle; .32 caliber carbine, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; .32 caliber carbine, in 0% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Preston Police Department are honored on badge.nw.