HK
U.S. Navy · United States 
Harley Kinnear
1946
Harley Leroy Kinnear served the U.S. Navy.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Location: Ohio
Incident Date: Thursday, July 11, 1946
Weapon: Handgun; .38 caliber
Offender: Executed in 1948
Detective Harley Kinnear succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous night when he was shot while interrupting the burglary of a boxcar in Cleveland, Ohio.
He encountered three men breaking into a boxcar at E. 68th Street and Colfax Road and ordered them to approach them. As they did so one of the men suddenly drew a .38 caliber revolver and shot him in the spine. He was taken to a local hospital where he died the following night.
All three men were arrested in Little Rock, Arkansas, and extradited back to Cleveland. All three were sentenced to death for a second murder committed in Cleveland and subsequently executed in 1948.
Detective Kinnear was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and had served with the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad Police Department for one year.
Incident Date: Thursday, July 11, 1946
Weapon: Handgun; .38 caliber
Offender: Executed in 1948
Detective Harley Kinnear succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous night when he was shot while interrupting the burglary of a boxcar in Cleveland, Ohio.
He encountered three men breaking into a boxcar at E. 68th Street and Colfax Road and ordered them to approach them. As they did so one of the men suddenly drew a .38 caliber revolver and shot him in the spine. He was taken to a local hospital where he died the following night.
All three men were arrested in Little Rock, Arkansas, and extradited back to Cleveland. All three were sentenced to death for a second murder committed in Cleveland and subsequently executed in 1948.
Detective Kinnear was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and had served with the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 8-month-old daughter.
Service Record
U.S. Navy
Also Served
New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad Police Department
Detective
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp3a8se374cfdx12745w
Record added
August 2, 2026
neuraweb.nw
Stewarded by
neuraweb.nw
Last updated
August 2, 2026
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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Harley. Claim this record.
Be the first to honor Harley.
Leave a Tribute