Hero Down: Arlington PD Recruit Officer Marquis Kennedy Dies After Medical Emergency During Academy Training

Arlington, TX – Arlington Police Department (APD) Recruit Officer Marquis Kennedy died in the line of duty on Sunday after suffering a medical emergency during a training session two days earlier.

Recruit Officer Kennedy and other members of APD Academy Class 62 were participating in defensive tactics training on Sept. 23 when he suddenly told the training staff he was not feeling well, the APD said in a press release on Monday.

“He was immediately removed from the exercise and told to sit with a member of the training staff for further monitoring,” the agency said. “A short time later, he collapsed.”

Training staff immediately began performing CPR until Recruit Officer Kennedy could be rushed to a nearby hospital by emergency medical personnel.

The APD notified his family and helped them get to the hospital so they could be by his side.

Recruit Officer Kennedy passed away at the hospital on Sept. 25.

His cause of death has not been determined, the APD said.

Recruit Officer Kennedy’s academy class began instruction on July 25.

“Our hearts are broken,” Arlington Police Chief Al Jones said. “Recruit Kennedy had a bright and promising future as a police officer.”

“On behalf of the Arlington Police Department, I want to express our deepest condolences to his family and our profound gratitude for his service to the City of Arlington,” Chief Jones continued. “I ask the community to join me in lifting up his immediate and police families with love and prayer during this extremely difficult time.”

We are heartbroken. Recruit Officer Marquis Kennedy had a bright and promising future as a police officer.

I ask the community to lift up his immediate and @ArlingtonPD families with love and prayer during this extremely difficult time. #ArlingtonTX pic.twitter.com/bvUL6cAVT6

— Chief Al Jones (@ChiefArlington) September 26, 2022

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Arlington Police Department Recruit Officer Marquis Kennedy, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.