Patrolman Ralph C. Kennerly, Concord Police Department, North Carolina

Patrolman Ralph C. Kennerly

Concord Police Department, North Carolina

End of Watch Tuesday, October 19, 1920

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Ralph C. Kennerly

Police Officer Ralph Kennerly succumbed to wounds when he was shot while attempting to arrest a man near Franklin Mill in Concord.

A subject had escaped prison, and Officer Kennerly received information that the man was in the area. When he approached the subject, the man turned around and shot him three times. Officer Kennerly was able to return fire, striking the subject five times.

Officer Kennerly succumbed to his wounds two days later.

The subject survived his wounds and was sentenced to 20 years. He escaped prison in 1921 and 1929. He was released, arrested for robbery, and escaped again. In December 1934, he was shot and killed by his neighbor.

Officer Kennerly was a North Carolina State National Guard and United States World War I Military Police veteran who had served with the Concord Police Department for ten months. He was survived by his wife and mother.

Bio

Age 28
Tour 10 months
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Sunday, October 17, 1920
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Sentenced to 20 years

arrest attempt, escapee

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Patrolman Kennerly,
On today, the 105th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army along the U.S./Mexico border in 1917 during the Mexican Punitive Expedition and later in Europe as a member of the 30th “Old Hickory” Division fighting the Germans during World War I.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

October 19, 2025