Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Winningham was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man in the highway community of Clinton County.
He was shot in the man's home with a .38 caliber handgun. Sheriff Winningham, who was alone at the time, was able to return fire and killed the suspect.
Sheriff Winningham's father, Sheriff George Winningham, and brother, Deputy Floyd Winningham, both of Pickett County, Tennessee, were shot and killed while investigating a report of a murder on April 22, 1933, only three months before Sheriff Willie Winningham was murdered.
Sheriff Winningham had served with the Clinton County Sheriff's Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and mother. His wife was appointed to complete his term in office and became the county's first female sheriff.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-21327CFA- 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.
Sheriff Winningham gave the Clinton County Sheriff's Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Winningham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Willie McKinley Winningham 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Clinton County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 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. Willie McKinley Winningham's cause is highlighted.
How Willie McKinley Winningham Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Willie McKinley Winningham is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Willie McKinley Winningham was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Clinton County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
