Patrolman Kenneth G. Kaner, Chicago Police Department, Illinois

Patrolman Kenneth G. Kaner

Chicago Police Department, Illinois

End of Watch Friday, June 19, 1970

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Kenneth G. Kaner

Patrolman Kenneth G. Kaner was shot and killed when he was ambushed by a suspect in a missing child case.

Patrolman Kaner was sitting in his squad near 71st Street and Union Street. Five assailants approached and one fired a 12-gauge shotgun through the open passenger side window. Patrolman Kaner was mortally wounded when he was shot in the right side of the face.

The five gunmen were stopped within minutes for a traffic violation. The shotgun and the officer's weapon were found during the traffic stop and the offenders were arrested.

The killer was sentenced to 30 to 125 years. He has been denied parole in 2007 and 2012. In July of 2020 he had another parole hearing. His projected release date is January 27, 2021.

Patrolman Kaner is survived by his wife, daughter, and son. His son followed in his footsteps and became a member of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Marine unit where a boat has been named in father's memory.

Bio

Age 33
Tour 9 years
Badge 2662

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Shotgun; 12 gauge
Offender Sentenced to 30 to 125 years

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Although I never met you, your death has always been on my mind. I had just entered the Chicago Police Academy on June 15, 1970. The morning of your death I was sitting in the auditorium at the University of Illinois, Chicago when a detective walked to the front of our class. He was holding a clear plastic bag containing the uniform hat that you had been wearing when you were shot in the head. Seeing the shredded and blood splattered contents of the hat and body parts made me pause to rethink my decision to become a police officer. I hope that my career that followed would make you proud.

William Dorsch, detective
Chicago Police/Area 5

September 7, 2021