Ernest “Bud” Kennish
Police Officer 1953-1970
Ernest “Bud” Kennish became a police officer in the 50’s and must have performed well because he was moved into the Motorcycle Squad where young officers who showed promise were assigned in those days. Bud clearly felt that he was part of our community because he donated his own blood so often, he received Special Awards from the Red Cross. Around 1960 Bud had a harrowing experience when he was dispatched by himself to an address on Sherman Avenue North in Hamilton. When he arrived, a 33 year-old man named George Flemming met him, and pointed in the direction of a nearby apartment. As Bud turned see where he was pointing, the man pushed what he believed to be a gun into his back and ordered him to drop his revolver. When Bud complied, Flemming picked it up and pointed it at him. It was only then that Bud realized Fleming had only been armed with a ‘replica’ handgun.
Now, posing a very real threat, Flemming forced Bud take him for a ride in his cruiser, along a route that took them near Highway #20 and the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW), then up onto the Niagara escarpment where they stopped on a dirt road.
Flemming, it seemed, had intended to commit suicide but didn’t have an effective weapon with which to do so, so he decided to rob a police officer to obtain a gun he could use for that purpose.
After a great deal of time and delicate negotiation on Bud’s part under what was likely difficult and unpredictable circumstances, he was able to convince Flemming to surrender the revolver and be taken into custody. Although he did point the gun at Bud and himself, he later claimed he never intended to hurt Bud, and pleaded guilty to the crime of “Forcible Confinement”.
Bud with a
Red Cross presentation
Mac Heddle crouched, Ron Klassen, Dave McCulloch, Bob Slack, Unknown white hat, Bud Kennish, Ian Harrison, Phil Sworden resting from Pistol Competition
Bud wearing his Motorcycle uniform and having fun at a Police Golf Tournament – Bob Arnott, Gord “Scoop” Taylor, 2 unknowns, Bud and Joe Seipi
During his tenure with the Police, Bud was a member of the Hamilton Police Revolver Club and participated in various competitions with them. He also trained to be a member of the Riot Squad (later renamed the Crowd Management Unit).
Police
Ron Joyce and Tim Horton
Bud retired from the Police Department on July 18, 1970, after deciding to purchase a “Tim Hortons” franchise.
He very successfully operated Tim Hortons coffee shop #2 at 770 Concession Street, Hamilton (directly across from what was then, the Henderson Hospital), for many years. This was obviously a quieter life for Bud, who enjoyed his new calling as illustrated in a CBC video in which he talks about his new profession with Horton’s:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/headlines/hamilton-cops-quit-for-timbits-1.1391124
Part of his decision may have been his friendship with Ron Joyce who had also been a Hamilton Policeman, and was a friend of Tim Horton, a professional hockey player. Between them Ron and Tim opened coffee shop #1 on Ottawa Street North in Hamilton.
In 1974, another dangerous incident intruded into Bud’s life. He was baking donuts during a night shift when two masked bandits, one of whom was armed with a knife, came into his coffee shop.
The server out front was frightened and ran into the kitchen to alert Bud, who bravely went out to face them. Unfortunately, when he tried to comply with their demands for money, the cash register would not open, which caused some anxiety for everybody. Finally, it rang open, and the thieves got some money. Before fleeing, however, they made Bud lie down on the floor. Fortunately, nobody was injured, allowing Bud to spend the rest of the night talking to his old friends on the Police Department. Few, if any, donuts were for sale that day.
Bud was able to conclude his life quietly at Tim Horton’s with his family by his side.
By Dave Bowen, Retired Inspector, Hamilton Police Service