McCoy, Kenneth

 

East St. Louis Police Department
Illinois
End of Watch: Thursday, June 7, 1973

Biographical Info
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: 62

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Accidental)
Date of Incident: Thursday, June 7, 1973
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Not available

Detective Kenneth Joseph McCoy was shot and killed in crossfire during a shootout with several suspects.

Detective McCoy and several other officers were conducting a stakeout of a tavern that was reportedly going to be robbed. While watching the tavern local neighborhood kids told one of the officers there was a group of men with guns nearby. The four officers then went to the tavern owner's home, thinking that the robbery was going to occur there.

Detective McCoy changed clothes with the tavern owner and then went to the driveway and pretended to examine a car. The group of men approached and shots were exchanged. During the ensuing shootout one of the suspects was killed and Detective McCoy was struck by a round fired by another officer with his own gun he had lent him.

Detective McCoy had served for four years and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was survived by his expectant wife, son and daughter.

From the ODMP.