Darien Police Renew Call For Info In Officer's Decades-Old Killing

Darien Police are seeking tips or other information relevant to a 37-year-old shooting death of one of its officers responding to a burglar alarm.

The late Kenneth E. Bateman Jr., 34, a Darien Police Officer killed while responding to a burglar alarm on May 31, 1981.
Photo Credit: *Provided*

A photo from Kenneth E. Bateman Jr.'s June 1981 funeral procession after the Darien Police officer was murdered while responding to a burglar alarm.
Photo Credit: *Darien Police Department*

Darien Police remembering Officer Kenneth E. Bateman Jr., killed in the line of duty on May 31, 1981.
Photo Credit: *Darien Police Department*

Jon Craig

06/04/2018 12:13 p.m.

On May 31, 1981, at about 3 a.m., Officer Kenneth E. Bateman, Jr. was shot and killed while investigating a commercial alarm activation at a local fast food restaurant.

Officer Bateman, a seven-year veteran of the Darien Police Department, had just turned 34 years old at the time of his murder.

Prior to joining the Darien Police Department, Bateman proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Navy.

He left behind his wife, Barbara, and his parents, Kenneth Sr. and Gladys Bateman.

The investigation into Officer Bateman's death is ongoing, police said. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Darien Police Department Detective Division at -203-662-5330.

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