Published on September 26, 2022
By Tim Ciesco
On Friday, September 23, 2022, Recruit Kennedy and the other members of Class 62 were participating in defensive tactics training when he indicated to training staff that he was not feeling well. He was removed from the exercise and told to sit with a member of the training staff for further monitoring. A short time later, he collapsed.
Training staff immediately began performing CPR on him and continued to do so until EMS personnel arrived. He was transported to a nearby hospital.
The department notified Recruit Kennedy’s family of the situation and helped ensure they could get to the hospital to be with him. The department’s Peer Support team was also activated and made available to his fellow recruits and the training staff.
“Our hearts are broken,” said Chief of Police Al Jones. “Recruit Kennedy had a bright and promising future as a police officer. On behalf of the Arlington Police Department, I want to express our deepest condolences to his family and our profound gratitude for his service to the City of Arlington. I ask the community to join me in lifting up his immediate and police families with love and prayer during this extremely difficult time.”
Funeral arrangements are pending.