Pasadena Police Department

I was extremely saddened to learn of Councilmember Kennedy’s death. When I learned of his death, I remained shocked and dazed wondering why such a good, kind, caring individual could be taken from us at such a young age. I met John in 2017 and since then developed a great friendship with him. I am disappointed that our friendship lasted only five years. Within these few years, I grew to know what a caring individual John was. He cared so deeply about the community he served. On several occasions, John has asked me to meet with young individuals, mentor them, and teach them the importance of staying out of trouble.

John was an extremely intelligent man. John spent so much time mentoring me, passing down his wisdom on how to be a great leader and how to connect with the community. His guidance has a lot to do with the success I have had in my life. I had no idea John was suffering from an illness. If I had known, I would have told him more often how much I appreciated him taking the time to help me. It is unfortunate I did not have the opportunity to thank John for believing in me and investing his time to help me develop myself into a leadership role at the police department.

John cared about the men and women who worked at the Pasadena Police Department as much as the community we protected. He wanted us held accountable, but truly knew how to balance police accountability with the support needed for police work. Losing Councilmember Kennedy is truly a loss for the community, the Pasadena Police Department, and the entire City of Pasadena.

Jerry Alton Oliver Sr

Pasadena Chief of Police from 1991-1995, former Richmond, VA Chief of Police

In the ramp-up to moving to Pasadena as Police Chief in July of 1991, I learned from contacts in the community and PPD staff that among the long list of community members I should get to know if our community policing initiative was to be successful was this young standout twenty-nine-year-old named John J. Kennedy. By this time John, a native of Pasadena, had already distinguished himself as a community leader, a scholar, a political operative, and a policy our relationship grew deeper as he became both a colleague, advisor, and close friend to me, my wife Felicia, and our family as we moved on to the Richmond Virginia Police Department, where John served as my Deputy Chief of Administration from 1995 through 1998. maker. His immediate family members lived in the Pasadena area, which gave him deep roots in the community. He had been educated locally and was a graduate of Howard University where he earned a law degree. He was clearly someone that the community trusted.

Within a few days of assuming my position, John agreed to meet with me over coffee and give me his very useful impressions of the PPD and the challenges we as a community in collaboration faced.

Through that discussion and several other “one on one” meetings I had with John, I learned that not only was he a strategic thinker, but he had a wonderful sense of humor, loved to laugh, and was able to make his points and disagreements known without making an enemy. I was drawn to his eloquence and style. As police chief, I came to know him as a trusted broker of community concerns and grievances. He was one of our earliest members of the PPD citizen’s advisory board. As a neighbor, I was pleased that this talented young person loved this city and always wanted to help make it better.

Candidly looking back on this period, John was an integral part of the successful initiatives the Pasadena Community Policing Program experienced during my tenure as Police Chief from 19911995. Ultimately over the years,

We loved him and will miss most his exuberant laughter and zest for life. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew and appreciated the gift he was.

LOVELY EMAIL MESSAGES RECEIVED: Lena, I am so saddened by this news. John was a one-of-a-kind leader. He meant so much to this city and especially to his family and friends. His memory will live on and he remains a role model for so many. My condolences to you and your family and if there is anything at all you need please do not hesitate to ask. Love, Tara Newman