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Incident
Lieutenant Dechen was killed after he was accidentally shot while cleaning his department-issued pistol.
The officer had just completed his department's semi-annual qualifications and was cleaning his .40 caliber Sig Sauer when the weapon discharged. He was shot in the abdomen. He was transported to a local hospital where he died approximately one hour later.
Lieutenant Dechen had been employed with the West Deptford Police Department for 23 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three teen-age children.
In Our Keeping
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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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Dechen gave the West Deptford Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Thorofare community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Dechen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Kenneth is the only officer of West Deptford Police Department remembered here.
Kenneth is one of 258 officers lost to accidents in NJ, 39.9% of the 647 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 2000, 2 officers in NJ were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 102 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 11.
In 2000, 85 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2000, 91 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Kenneth was 44. Of the 232 lost to accidents in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 41.3; the middle age was 33.5. Kenneth had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kenneth was 44. 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 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kenneth was 44. 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 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 10.1% of these deaths in NJ; March holds the most, 10.5%. Wednesdays: 14.7%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at West Deptford Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 39.9% of all 647 deaths in NJ, 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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