James R. Mckenna

James Rocco McKenna was born on November 22nd, 1969, to Carol McKenna, nee Doino, and the Late James John McKenna. He grew up in Haverstraw, and the Bronx, where he attended Saint Frances de Chantal Elementary School, and Saint Raymond’s Academy for Boys. Shortly after his graduation from Saint Raymond’s, he applied to the Academy of the New York City Police Department – following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Officer Rocco Doino. The Academy was the first step in his thirty year journey as “The Go-To Guy” – the cop upon whom other cop’s depended, and the kind of cop young officers aspired to be.
“His beat was rails, then streets, then trails of clues.” – Jim worked his way up from transit officer to Detective 2nd Grade at the 83rd precinct in Bushwick, Brooklyn. As union delegate for his fellow detectives, he advocated for his brother and sister officers with complete dedication and fairness. In the terrible wake of 9/11, he was one of the thousands of brave and bereaved guardians of the city who came to define the term ‘essential worker.’ There is no telling how many lives were enriched and redeemed by the service and protection of this one good cop.
Jim is survived by his devoted wife, Lisa, who served the NYPD as an officer from 1990 to 2008. He is survived by his beloved daughter Shannon, and his beloved stepsons Richard and Jonathon. He is survived by his cherished mother, Carol, his dear sister Patricia McCarthy, and her husband J.R., his dear brother Michael and his wife, Laurie. He doted on his niece Emily, and his nephews Logan, and Dylan. He is survived by acres of family, and miles of friends. We take him with us wherever we go. We commend him to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – until we meet again.