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William J. Kennedy
Agency patch
Patrolman

William J. Kennedy

New York City Police Department — New York, NY
Felonious
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch October 15, 1993
Age 72
Badge 12322
The Vigil Panel 139 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 1,221

Incident

Patrolman Kennedy died from a gunshot wound sustained 41 years earlier. On February 7th, 1952, Patrolman Kennedy and his partner were assigned to bring an emotionally disturbed person to Bellevue Hospital. While in the hospital, the man grabbed a chair and struck a third patrolman with it. During the scuffle that ensued, the man was able to gain control of one of the patrolman's service weapons. He fired all six rounds from it, wounding Patrolman Kennedy. The other officers were able to take the suspect into custody. He was charged with murder. Patrolman Kennedy lived over 41 years with extremely disabling injuries that eventually caused his death. The case was ruled a homicide and reopened by the 10th Precinct Detective Squad. After he died of his injuries the case was reclassified as a homicide. Patrolman Kennedy was 30 years old and the time of the incident and was assigned to the 10 Precinct.

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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.
Patrolman Kennedy served with the New York City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Kennedy.

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

Agency

Department New York City Police Department
Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 15, 1993
Age 72
Badge Number 12322
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

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

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1993, 101 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 72. 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.

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

When

October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman William J. Kennedy

New York City Police Department · End of Watch October 15, 1993

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E

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