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Incident
Captain John McKinstry was shot and killed while attempting to keep order at a public dance. No one knew he was murdered until December 29, 1873, when a witness could no longer keep the secret. Captain McKinstry was a US Army veteran of the Civil War and had been held as a prisoner of war by the Confederate Army.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. John is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Captain McKinstry served with the Mattoon Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Mattoon community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John McKinstry served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Mattoon Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1868, 1 officer in IL was killed feloniously, the 123rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1868, 20 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 161st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1868, 26 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 160th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 34. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
John was 34. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 5.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Mattoon Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Military Service
John McKinstry served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit John McKinstry’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
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