Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Charles McKinney was shot and killed in an assassination by a man who lost to him in the election for Sheriff. The suspect had planned the assassination for several years and had a woman make a false report that her daughter had been raped. When Sheriff McKinney arrived he was talking with the suspect and another man when the suspect suddenly shot Sheriff McKinney in the head with a Winchester rifle. The two men also shot at a deputy who was with Sheriff McKinney but only wounded him because his horse was frightened and bolted. The two suspects were tracked down by the Texas Rangers and one was shot and killed. The second escaped but later surrendered. That suspect was sentenced to death and hung on August 23, 1889. Sheriff McKinney had served as a Texas Ranger for 10 years and had served as the sheriff of LaSalle County for three years.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TX-C61E0974- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
140 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff McKinney gave the La Salle County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cotulla community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Charles Brown 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At La Salle County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Brown McKinney's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Brown McKinney Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Brown McKinney is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Brown McKinney was killed by rifle; winchester.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from La Salle County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
