Lt. Kinney dies of gunshot wound at his home

David W. Kinney Dec. 25, 1965 – May 22, 2014

A popular Niagara Falls police lieutenant, David W, Kinney, 48, suffered a fatal gunshot wound in his Amherst home last Thursday.

He was a 19 year veteran of the force.

The fatal bullet, sources say, came from his police issued Smith and Wesson 40 caliber handgun.

The Erie County Medical Examiner ruled Kinney's death a suicide.

The son of David L. and Sandra M. (DeLuca) Kinney, Jr. of Niagara Falls, the late Lt. Kinney's father is the director of public works in this city.

Besides his parents, Kinney left behind his wife, Dawn; four sons; Adam, Mitchell, Jordan and Ryan; two granddaughters; Aubrey and Addision, two brothers; Joseph and John, and nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Those who remember him, recalled he was an affable, kindly man, and exhibited the fruit of the Spirit in his daily life.

He graduated from Trott Vocational High School in 1984. He was a member of the Niagara County Judges and Police Association, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He is fondly recalled through days when he hunted on the Kinney family land in Fillmore, NY, collected Star Wars memorabilia, bowled, worked to restore his 1923 Ford T-Bucket, participated in the annual Police Department Tug-of-War competition and how he gave generously to his sons with time and affection, and to countless children as a mentor and coach for Cataract Little Loop Football, Sweet Home Little Loop Football, and the Niagara Falls High School football team.

He was loyal to his friends, they say, who remembered him fondly.

A Christmas baby, he is also remembered as the boy who ran to his parent's arms, who grew up sturdy and strong and who played football as a youth with spirit and strength.

Prior to his career in the police force, he worked for the New York State Parks, the Bridge Commission and Carborundum.

Police officers still recall the time when several inmates made a daring escape from the holding center and this courageous, athletic man chased and singlehandedly apprehended them. Without hurting them, he brought them back to custody and justice.

A wake was held Monday at the M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel on Military Rd. The line of friends and those touched by Kinney was so vast that it overfilled the large parlor and literally flowed out down the block.

His Mass of Christian Burial was today, at 10 a.m., at St. Raphael's Church, Niagara Falls. Entombment followed in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston.

For the days of grace and geniality this sadly heroic man gave to the world, and to the people who knew him, may his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Eternal rest give to them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them.