Westchester Coalition for Police Reform holds vigil for late military veteran Kenneth Chamberlain Sr.

Chamberlain Jr. says he is grateful for all the support shown by those who attended the vigil and honored his father’s memory.

News 12 Staff

Nov 19, 2022, 9:30 PM

Updated 693 days ago

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The Westchester Coalition for Police Reform held a vigil for the late military veteran Kenneth Chamberlain.
On Nov. 19, 2011, Chamberlain accidentally set off the alert, prompting police to come to his door. In transcripts of recordings of the encounter captured by a LifeAid help center, he can be heard telling the officers he didn’t want them there.
“Go home to your wives and children,” he said.
As the officers persisted in trying to coax him into opening the door, Chamberlain sounded more agitated and disoriented, saying at one point that he was in touch with “the President and Vice President Biden.”
Police say he poked a knife through a crack in the door, repeated, “honor, honor, honor” and then warned, “First one through the door, I’m gonna kill.”
Backup officers, including Anthony Carelli, the officer who fired the fatal shot, were called in to remove the door. Once inside, they sought to subdue Chamberlain with a stun gun and a bean bag weapon.
In a deposition, Carelli claimed it didn’t work, and he watched as the victim came within feet of a sergeant with the knife raised before he fired two rounds.
“Here we are 11 years later, and the mayor of this city still refuses to admit that on November 19, 2011, his officers committed misconduct and murder,” said his son Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. "In order to have closure, people have to take responsibility and that hasn't happened."
Chamberlain Jr. says he is grateful for all the support shown by those who attended the vigil and honored his father’s memory.
AP Wire Services were used in this report.