SIDNEY — New information was released today involving the Sidney officer who was shot. Sgt. Kennedy has been recovering for the last week at Miami Valley Hospital.
Through a public record request, News Center 7 obtained police radio traffic from the moments before and after Kennedy was shot.
Sidney police are not able to release body cam video yet, but Police Chief William Balling said he’s reviewed the video and shares what he saw as they investigate the shooting.
“Watching both of the videos, completely proud of my officers and what they did. How they handled themselves and reacted. Even Sgt. Kennedy after being shot, he maintained his composure enough to tell the officers where he was at and give them directions of where he last saw the suspect at,” Balling said.
>> Sidney police sergeant shot; Suspect arrested, charged after standoff
Radio traffic from the first Sidney officer who encountered the suspect sounded like this – “Shots fired. He has a gun. I’m on the dead end on Highland. He took off running back southbound. He’s got a gun.”
Balling said after that Kennedy saw someone come down an alley and tried to get that person to stop. He continued by saying that’s when the suspect opened fire again.
Kennedy said in his radio traffic, “I’m shot. He’s running. He’s running toward (inaudible) and Lynn. I’m hit. I’m hit. I’m in the 600 block of Taft in an alley way in between Lynn and Taft. We need at least three people together and the immediate action team to get to 95. Give me three people there and get me them now.”
>> Sidney High School homecoming parade cancelled amid search for shooting suspect
Kennedy has been with Sidney Police since 2007. Balling said he hopes that Kennedy will be able to be home soon.
“Integral part of our department. Great officer. He really values our core values of professionalism, integrity, courage, and compassion. Right now, he’s at the hospital. He’s got good spirits, but again he’s recovering and still in there,” Balling said.
The ultimate hope is that Kennedy is able to return to the department full time, but right now they’re focused on both his mental and physical recovery.
©2021 Cox Media Group
