Roll of Honor
J. Floyd Winningham
Incident
Deputy Winningham and his father, Sheriff George Winningham, were shot and killed after responding to a lumber camp to investigate reports of a murder.
When the two, along with a third deputy, arrived at the camp, they were informed that a murder had not taken place but that there was a drunk male who was causing a disturbance and was located in a railroad boxcar. When the officers reached the boxcar, they told the male to come out, but he opened fire with a .45 caliber handgun, striking Deputy Floyd Winningham in the head twice, killing him.
In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, Sheriff George Winningham was shot in the abdomen. He succumbed to his wounds the following day while being transported to a Nashville Hospital.
After shooting the two officers, the suspect fled into the woods, where he remained for several weeks. The suspect eventually turned himself into a Scott County deputy for fear that he would be killed if he were caught by posse members. Several days after being arrested, a mob of citizens and lawmen broke into the jail, took the suspect and another prisoner, and murdered them in Scott County.
Deputy Winningham was a WWI veteran and was survived by his wife, son, daughter, mother, and brother, Sheriff Willie Winningham of Clinton County, Kentucky.
Survivors
Deputy Winningham was a WWI veteran and was survived by his wife, son, daughter, mother, and brother, Sheriff Willie Winningham of Clinton County, Kentucky.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TN-DC02C04E- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Winningham served with the Pickett County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Byrdstown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Winningham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
J. Floyd Winningham served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff J. Floyd Winningham is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 64.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Pickett County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. Floyd Winningham's cause is highlighted.
How J. Floyd Winningham Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. Floyd Winningham is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. Floyd Winningham was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Military Service
J. Floyd Winningham served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit J. Floyd Winningham’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Pickett County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
