Jimmy Ray McKiven

Gadsden Police Department — Gadsden, AL

Accident Veteran

End of Watch September 16, 1983

Age 35

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

The Vigil Panel 127 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Patrolman Jimmy McKiven was killed in a motorcycle crash when his police motorcycle was struck by another car at Third Street and Walnut Street. At 7:15 p.m., the driver made an illegal left turn and hit Patrolman McKiven. He was transported to the Holy Name of Jesus Hospital where he died. The driver that caused the crash was charged with homicide by vehicle but was acquitted due to a legal error made by the prosecutor. Patrolman McKiven was a United States Navy Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Gadsden Police Department for 10 years. He had been called "Super Cop" by local teens.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AL-B1227735
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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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.
Patrolman McKiven gave the Gadsden Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gadsden 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

Department Gadsden Police Department

Location Gadsden, AL

Platform Identity gpd.etowah.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 16, 1983

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

Age 35

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

Military Service

Jimmy Ray McKiven served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman Jimmy Ray McKiven is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In AL, 182 of 643 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 28.3% of this state's fallen. That is 2.7 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.

At Gadsden Police Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Gadsden Police Department

of 4 officers

50% Accident

AL — Statewide

182

of 643 officers

28.3% Accident

Nationwide

10,088

of 32,508 officers

31% Accident