Correction Officer Fatally Shot Outside Home

By MIA GOLDBERG

An off-duty Correction Officer was fatally shot April 22 outside his East Flatbush home at 3:15 a.m. during what police believe to be an attempted robbery.

DOC Photo KENNETH DUNCAN

The victim, Kenneth Duncan, 40, had been a Correction Officer for 17 years and was assigned to the Manhattan Detention Center in lower Manhattan for the last 10, said Stephen Morello, a spokesman for the Department of Correction. He had two children, ages 16 and 18.

Outstanding Officer

Mr. Morello said Officer Duncan's colleagues described him as an outstanding officer, who, while tough, was sympathetic to the inmates.

"The entire Manhattan Detention Complex is totally devastated by this loss," said Sidney Schwartzbaum, president of the Assistant Deputy Wardens/Deputy Wardens Association, who worked with Officer Duncan. "Kenny Duncan was a great worker, a great friend and someone who lived life to the fullest. He took what could be a very depressing job and made it bearable. I know it sounds cliché, but he always had a smile on his face."

Mr. Duncan was described as a motorcycle fanatic. The shooting occurred while he and a friend were working on their motorcycles in Mr. Duncan's garage, according to police. They were approached by two men who threatened to steal the motorcycles. The men initially left but returned a short time later. At least one of the men was armed. Mr. Duncan had an authorized gun in his garage. Shots were exchanged. Mr. Duncan was hit in the head. When help arrived, Mr. Duncan was unconscious. He was brought to Brookdale Hospital and pronounced dead at 3:38 a.m.

Investigators in the 67th Pct. have questioned two men in connection with the homicide, but no arrests have been made. The friend who witnessed the crime gave police a description of the shooter as an African-American male, 20-25 years old, 5'10" and approximately 155 pounds. A sketch of the suspect has been released.

Norman Seabrook, president of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association, said the union is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of Officer Duncan's killer.

'He Was a Hero'

During an interview April 24, Mr. Seabrook said, "This is a tragedy. I'm hopeful that the Mayor along with our Correction Commissioner will understand that Kenny died in the line-of-duty protecting the life of a civilian. He didn't have to do that; he chose to do that because that's the training that he had and that's the man that he is. He should be looked upon as the hero that he was."

If his death is deemed to be in the line of duty, his survivors would receive a special death benefit.

According to Mr. Seabrook, Officer Duncan's mother and sister were inside the house at the time of the shooting. "He was also protecting his family in the house. Who knows how far this could have gone?"

He continued, "His son is on a full scholarship at the University of Alabama. He's a mathematics major and a track star. His daughter is a straight-A student in high school."

This is the second child Officer Duncan's mother lost to gunfire. Her other son, Neil, 30, a father of three, was killed in 1994 during a shooting inside a store where he was playing dominoes.

CO Duncan's funeral was scheduled for April 29 at the New Life Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church in Brooklyn.