Born in Detroit, MI, and raised in suburban Allen Park, Ken graduated in 1969 from Holy Redeemer High School, Detroit, and enlisted in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. After serving 6 ½ years as a Security Policeman and as a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, he transitioned into the USAF Reserve after receiving an appointment as a Dallas Police Officer on 1 Apr 1976, and had concurrent dual law enforcement careers, each lasting 40 years. He graduated as the valedictorian of DPD Academy Class #142 (1976), and as the valedictorian and class president of ILEA's Police Command & Management School (1989). He is also a graduate of the Caruth Police Institute's Executive Leadership Series (2013) and LEMIT Modules I (2015) and II (2016).

He first retired as an AFOSI Special Agent in the rank of Colonel on 1 Oct 2009 after 40 years of Air Force service (1969-2009). Within the Dallas Police Department, he rose to the rank of Major and retired on 1 Jul 2016 with 40 years, 3 months service (1976-2016). His last position held was as the Executive Officer (second-in-command) of the Southeast Division. He is one of only 57 Dallas officers of more than 12,000 employed since 1881 to retire with 40+ years of service. 

Ken holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice (1978) and a Master of Science degree in Human Relations & Business (1982), both awarded by Abilene Christian University. He and his wife, Sharon, have eight children and 19 grandchildren. Their family has the distinction of being one of only ten families since the establishment of the US Military Academy in 1802 to have four children graduate from West Point.