Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff C. Willard McKinney was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a drunk man who was causing a disturbance in Neon, Kentucky.
The subject who shot him was arrested and charged with murder.
Deputy McKinney was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Deputy McKinney was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-23A14EB6- 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.
Deputy Sheriff McKinney served with the Letcher County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Whitesburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff McKinney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Charles Willard 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 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 Letcher County Sheriff's Office, 16 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 84.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Willard McKinney's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Willard McKinney Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Willard McKinney is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Willard McKinney was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Letcher County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
