Get To Know Real Police, The Homicide Hunter

Get To Know Real Police, The Homicide Hunter. Special Episode. For fans of true crime, few names are as synonymous with justice as Joe Kenda. Known to millions as “The Homicide Hunter”, Kenda is a retired police detective lieutenant who solved 356 of the 387 homicide cases he worked during a 23-year career with the Colorado Springs Police Department, a staggering 92% closure rate. But for Kenda, the numbers are only part of the story. In an interview on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, he opened up about the emotional toll of hunting killers, his unexpected rise to television fame, and his compelling book, Killer Triggers.

“If you kill someone in my city, I will find you,” Kenda once declared, a phrase that became the chilling mantra behind his Investigation Discovery (ID Channel) hit series Homicide Hunter. The show, which ran for nine seasons, became a staple in the world of true crime television, captivating viewers with its gripping real-life investigations and Kenda’s unmistakably calm, resolute narration.

The TV series Homicide Hunter offered more than just entertainment, it provided a window into the psyche of a seasoned detective who never lost sight of the human cost of murder. “I don’t want to tell these stories. I need to,” Kenda said, reflecting on the unresolved trauma from his years on the force. As he reopened his “Murder Books”, the folders containing all the details of the cases he solved, he also reopened long-suppressed memories, and in doing so, offered audiences a rare, raw look at what it really means to live in the mind of a homicide detective. Get To Know Real Police, The Homicide Hunter.

His book, Killer Triggers, goes even deeper. “This book offers my memories of homicide cases that I investigated or oversaw,” Kenda explains. Each chapter explores the psychological trigger behind a killing, whether rage, fear, revenge, money, lust, or sheer madness. “I chose this theme because even though the ‘why’ of a murder case isn’t always essential to solving it, it can sometimes lead us straight to the killer.” He adds that even after solving a case, the question of motive lingers. “The why still intrigues us, it disrupts our dreams, maybe because we all fear the demons that lie within our own psyche.”

Born in Herminie, Pennsylvania, Kenda's journey into law enforcement began in an unlikely place: the Pittsburgh Zoo. A childhood encounter there sparked an early fascination with criminal behavior. After earning a degree in political science from the University of Pittsburgh and a master's in international relations from Ohio State University, Kenda considered a career in intelligence before ultimately joining the Colorado Springs Police Department in 1973.

Kenda rose through the ranks quickly. By 1977, he was a detective solving cases other officers had deemed unsolvable. His instincts, sharp eye for human behavior, and relentless pursuit of the truth earned him a reputation that eventually led to a new chapter, one in front of the camera. Get To Know Real Police, The Homicide Hunter.

His unexpected entrance into the world of television came long after his retirement. “I never thought I’d be on TV,” he admits. But after being approached by producers, Kenda agreed to share his stories, and Homicide Hunter was born. Now, in addition to that flagship show, he also hosts American Detective with Lt. Joe Kenda on Discovery+, continuing to bring real police work to television audiences across the globe.

Off-screen, connect with him through our social media including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn, and during the interview on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast. You can listen to his stories and interview on our website for free in addition to platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and other major podcast platforms.

Despite the fame, Kenda remains deeply grounded. He speaks openly about the impact his career had on his family, especially his wife, Mary Kathleen Mohler, whom he married in 1967. “You can’t see what I’ve seen and not come away changed,” he says. “But I tried to leave it at the door. Not always successfully.”

With decades of cases behind him, a bestselling book in stores, a loyal following across TV and podcasts, and a reputation as one of the most effective detectives in modern law enforcement history, Joe Kenda has become much more than just a name on a screen. He’s a storyteller, a protector, and perhaps most importantly, a reminder that justice, though often elusive, is always worth pursuing. Get To Know Real Police, The Homicide Hunter.

Follow Joe Kenda’s Journey:

📺 Watch Homicide Hunter on the ID Channel

📖 Read his book Killer Triggers

🎧 Listen to the interview with him on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast wsbite Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

📲 Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn

Are you ready to get to know the real police homicide hunter? Joe Kenda’s stories may just change how you view justice, and the people who fight for it.

You can help contribute money to make the Gunrunner Movie. The film that Hollywood won’t touch. It is about a now Retired Police Officer that was shot 6 times while investigating Gunrunning. He died 3 times during Medical treatment and was resuscitated. You can join the fight by giving a monetary “gift” to help ensure the making of his film at agunrunnerfilm.com.

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Get To Know Real Police, The Homicide Hunter.

Attributions

ID Channel

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Wikipedia