Sergeant James Kenneth Kinard joined the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office on May 1, 1984. He was a graduate of Everett High School and the University of Washington.

During his 10-year career with the Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant Kinard served in a variety of areas, including as a K9 handler. He and his partner, Rowdy, became one of the most successful K9 teams during their tenure, tracking down and capturing as many as 150 suspects.

On January 1, 1992, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. During this time he also became a member of the Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and later a board member of the National Tactical Officers Association.

Sergeant Kinard’s young life came to a cruel and untimely end on the evening of August 15, 1994, when he and fellow deputies responded to a reported homicide at a house in the Cathcart area. It was there that Sergeant Kinard suffered a fatal gunshot wound.

Following his death, Sergeant Kinard was posthumously awarded his second Purple Heart as well as a Distinguished Service Medal.

Sergeant Kinard was 34 years old at the time of his death. He is survived by his son Kyle; his mother Phyllis Kinard, his sister Kathy MacArthur, his brother Jeff Kinard, and many other family members and friends. Sergeant Kinard’s father, Dr. Kenneth Kinard, died in October 2008.

We honor our fallen brother and reflect on his dedicated service to this office and the citizens of Snohomish County. It was his duty to serve; it is our duty to remember.