Police Officer Sonny L. Kim| Cincinnati Police Department

Age: 48
Badge: P396
Served: 27½ years
December 13, 1989 to June 19, 2015

OFFICER

Sonny was born September 30, 1966 in Seoul, South Korea and immigrated to the United States during 1973. He attended Carl Shurz High School in Chicago beginning in 1981 and graduating in 1984. He then attended Truman College in Chicago for a year. In 1986 he moved to Cincinnati and attended the University of Cincinnati for a year until 1987.

During January 1985 he took a position as a Security Officer at Makro in Evendale, then at Gold Circle on Ridge Road, and finally at Value City on Winston Avenue until 1987.

On December 13, 1987, Sonny joined the Cincinnati Police Division in its 70th Recruit Class. He was promoted to Police Officer on May 1, 1988, issued Badge 396, and assigned to District 4 (4150 Reading Road). Officer Kim was rotated to District 2 (3295 Erie Avenue) on September 24, 1989 and remained there the rest of his career.

During 1989, he was commended by a citizen for rapid response and professional action in apprehending a stabbing suspect with his weapon still in his hand. Police Chief Lawrence E. Whalen commended him in 1990 for dedication and initiative resulting in the closures of 15 residential burglary cases.

Even when off duty, in April 1992, when observing suspects breaking into cars, Officer Kim tried to intervene. A fight ensued, the suspects got back to their vehicle, and they fired shots at Officer Kim. Officer Kim returned fire at the vehicle. None of the shots fired took effect, on Officer Kim nor the vehicle’s occupants.

Read his full story