DETECTIVE SERGEANT JOHN W. KENNEDY
BADGE 64, ID 1507
SDPD 07/01/1954 - 11/23/1985
09/18/1930 - 06/02/2011
THE THIN BLUE LINE
John Walter Kennedy 80, passed away June 5th, 2011, at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego with his wife Rusty and Daughter Lynda at his side.
He was born in Edmond, Oklahoma to Spencer and Willie Mae Kennedy. John moved to San Diego as a young man and soon after joined the San Diego Police Department as a patrol officer.
Over the years he wore many hats. When the police had the ambulance, he was an EMT which he taught in the academy.
Later, he was assigned to the bomb detail and in charge of the armory. Also very involved in the police association as President and Treasurer.
Then for the last 14 years he was in charge of one of the homicide teams, John was very proud of his team and their cancellation rate. All who knew him knew that he would never asked you to do anything he would not do himself and you could bet he would always stand behind you when he felt you were right.
He loved the children of all ages, guiding them when necessary.
He was mentioned in several detective magazines as Jack Kennedy (not wanting his real name used.
Also in one of Joseph Wambaugh’s books he is known as “The Grumpy Old Sergeant.”
One day when in the court room the judge referred to John as "Mr. Homicide".
John retired in Nov. 1985 after 31yrs. He then went into business known as Kennedy Consulting, doing loss prevention in the work places.
Due to health problems he again retired and moved to Lake Havasu City.
He is survived by his wife Rusty of 41 years, a sister Pauline Hastings of Edmond, Oklahoma, daughter Lynda Pflueger, Escondido, Ca. son Chuck Caughey (Joy) San Diego, Ca. Son Martin Kennedy (Cheryl) Lake Havasu City, Az. Grand children Karen Day (Jeff) Escondido, Ca. Crystal Rowlands (Mark) San Diego, Ca. Shawn Caughey (Ashley) San Diego, Ca.Kamara Kennedy Lake Havasu City, Az. Three Great Grandsons, Ayden Rowlands, Ryan Rowlands and Kingston Caughey all of San Diego, Ca. Many nieces and nephews all in Oklahoma .
John was a member of the Elk’s in San Diego and after moving to Arizona he transferred his membership to the Parker Elk’s of which he became the Exalted Ruler 2002-2003.
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