Kenneth Talley, —an island of unincoporated Snohomish County surrounded by the city of Edmonds—was a single father who loved his young son, was engaged to be married and was a responsible adult who would never cause harm to anyone.
That’s the message that a few who knew Talley best want the public to know.
Talley, 26, was allegedly shot and killed by a homeowner in the 8900 block of 225th Place Southwest, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, which is investigating the shooting.
Although no arrests have been made, sheriff spokesman Kevin Prentiss says preliminary information indicates at that location and was allegedly shot by the homeowner, identified only as a 25-year-old man.
Talley’s fiancee, Patricia Junkin, says he was a good guy.
“He had a long-term job and was a stable and loving father to his son Kenny Jr.,” Junkin wrote in an e-mail. “He was loved by extended family and all the kids. He was a big, playful teddy bear who even helped coach Pee Wee football. He wasn’t some burglar or criminal … perhaps a rough childhood and a rambunctious teen, but (he was) a stable adult who all of us are struggling to believe could have presented any danger to anyone.”
Junkin’s mother, Pam Junkin, echoed her daughter’s thoughts.
“He loved his son very much,” she said. “He had a huge heart. I have two children who loved him. My oldest son considered him like another brother. He was like a big kid. He helped my husband coach football and the kids loved him, and he loved coaching kids.”
Pam Junkin says Talley was of two felonies as a juvenile and one misdemeanor as an adult.
“I know I read in the past that he problems when he was a kid,” she said. “But as an adult now, he was not a burglar. I understand he was walking home (on Tuesday night). Since I wasn’t there, I don’t know what happened. But in my heart of hearts, I don’t believe that he is a burglar.”
Anyone who thinks they may have seen Talley in the afternoon or early evening hours on Tuesday is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office tip line at 425-388-3845.
