Kentucky State Police, Kentucky
End of Watch Saturday, April 8, 1972
Add to My HeroesJames 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
Most Recent Reflection
View all 16 ReflectionsToday 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
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