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Assistant Chief of Police

Charles A. McKinney

Independence Police Department — Independence, KS

Felonious

End of Watch March 22, 1920

Age 43

The Vigil Panel 38 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Assistant Chief of Police Charles McKinney was shot and killed on East Main Street, near Pennsylvania Avenue, while making his rounds at approximately 11:30 pm.

A witness heard Assistant Chief McKinney order another person to stop and then heard a shot. Another officer who was nearby ran to his aid and discovered he had been shot in the neck. The officer took him to city hall, where a doctor was summoned. He was then taken to a local hospital where he died the following morning.

Assistant Chief McKinney had served with the Independence Police Department for 11 months. He had previously served with the Houston, Texas, Police Department and Texas State Penitentiary.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KS-C2E55105
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Assistant Chief of Police McKinney served with the Independence Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Independence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Assistant Chief of Police McKinney.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Independence Police Department

Location Independence, KS

Platform Identity ipd.montgomery.ks.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 22, 1920

Age 43

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Assistant Chief of Police Charles A. McKinney is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

Independence Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

KS — Statewide

237

of 335 officers

70.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles A. McKinney's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Charles A. McKinney Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles A. McKinney is highlighted in Mar.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles A. McKinney was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518