Individual Details

Death

TFO Major Robert C. Kennedy, of the Boone Police Department, was killed when the Civil Air Patrol plane he was flying in crashed at Edenton, North Carolina while searching for marijuana plants. Also killed were Pilot Sergeant Anthony Scott Futrell of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and Deputy Richard Edward Ashley Jr. of the Chowan County Sheriff's Office. Major Robert Stephen "Bob" Kennedy was born July 8, 1956 in Stanley County to the late James Ray Kennedy Sr., and Connie Furr Kennedy. Major Kennedy was Assistant Chief with the Boone Police Department. He was the Commander of the Boone Police Department SWAT team and Dive team. He was a graduate of Pfeiffer University and the FBI National Academy. He was a member of the Federal Narcotics Officers Association and a life member and Past President of the North Carolina Narcotics Officers Association. He was a 1st Lieutenant with the Civil Air Patrol and the Commander of the Boone Squadron. He was also a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Major Kennedy was on the scholarship committee of the Children of Police Officers Who Died in the Line of Duty Fund, and a Board Member of the Underage Alcohol Initiative. He was a member of Mineral Springs Baptist Church in Oakboro, NC, and a member of Snow Lodge #363 AF & AM. Major Robert Kennedy is survived by his wife, Kerri Dowdy Kennedy; a son, Kyle; his mother, Connie Furr Kennedy of Oakboro, NC; one sister, Linda Kennedy Kimrey and husband Dale of Albemarle, NC; and his mother and father-in-law, Jimmy and Jackie Dowdy of Grandy, NC. He was preceded in death by his father, James Ray Kennedy, Sr., and a brother, James Ray Kennedy, Jr.