Officer Joseph Keenan was drowned when the boat he was in capsized while he and another offiicer were attempting to save people from high water during the 1903 flood.
At June 2, 1903 at 1:00 pm, Officer Keenan and Officer Emmett Clune were attempting to take two people to safe ground during high waters from the second story of the Adams house at 1032 Union Street. They were on the way to the viaduct when the officers' boat capsized and Officer Keenan was swept away in the flood waters. Officer Clune and the two men they were attempting to rescue were able to make it to shore.
Officer Keenan was a member of the police force for three years. Interred: Mount St Mary's Cemetery.
Article by Brent Marchant
Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial