Trooper James Willard McNeely, Kentucky State Police, Kentucky

Trooper James Willard McNeely

Kentucky State Police, Kentucky

End of Watch Saturday, April 8, 1972

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James Willard McNeely

Trooper James McNeely and Patrol Officer David Childs of the Kentucky Water Patrol drowned while participating in a flood rescue mission in Franklin County, Kentucky.

They were searching for two missing juveniles when their boat went over Dam 4.

Trooper McNeely had served with the Kentucky State Police for 16 years. He was survived by his wife and daughter.

Bio

Age 37
Tour 16 years
Badge 297

Incident Details

Cause Drowned

weather, water rescue

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Most Recent Reflection

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Today is your tragic anniversary date, I just wanted to say you’re always weighing heavy on my heart and my mind.
It’s been exactly 18,993 days that your case had remained unsolved and that just doesn’t sit right with me. As long as I’m alive, I’ll continue to search for you and work on your case. I pray every single day that your brought home and laid to rest with your family and given a proper burial. You sacrificed and dedicated so many years of your life, to help others so unselfishly and you deserve to have others do the same for you. I keep your NamUs missing persons poster with me everyday, just to let you know, you’re not forgotten.

Jaclyn Bedient
A Missing & Unidentified Persons Advocate

April 8, 2024