James Robert Kennedy Abbeville County Sheriff's Office Sunday, December 30, 1900

Sheriff Kennedy was shot and killed after he attempted to arrest a suspect who and just shot a man over a two dollar card game. After the suspect shot the man, he was followed by two policemen, but held them at bay with his pistol until Sheriff Kennedy arrived. Sheriff Kennedy called to the suspect, who was hiding in his father-in-laws house, to come out. When the suspect exited the house, he started firing. Sheriff Kennedy was shot in the chest and the suspect was wounded twice in the leg by Sheriff Kennedy and the two patrolmen. The suspect then began to reload his pistol, but was shot and killed by the dying Sheriff Kennedy, who was on the ground. Sheriff Kennedy died minuets later from his wound. James Robert Kennedy's photograph is currently unavailable. If you can provide a photograph, please send a scanned image by [ EMAIL ] to the webmaster or mail a copy of the photograph to the state lodge's address. James Robert Kennedy's name has been engraved at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC. His name can be located on panel 18, W -19. Views: 16,828

[ return to complete list ]