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Incident
Chief of Police Kenneth Kirkland suffered a fatal heart attack while moving clearing out the department's storage shed.
He had moved several pieces of equipment that weighed over 100 pounds each into the department's pickup truck. He was driving the items to the county landfill when he suffered a heart attack. His vehicle left the roadway and became obscured by trees and bushes along Georgia Highway 45. He was located later in the evening after a search was initiated when he failed to arrive at a community speaking engagement.
Chief Kirkland had served with the Colquitt Police Department for 20 years and had served in law enforcement for a total of 30 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
30 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Kirkland gave the Colquitt Police Department 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Colquitt community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Kirkland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Colquitt Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Kenneth is one of 23 officers lost to cardiac events in GA, 2.5% of the 905 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 2 officers in GA were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 23 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2021, 23 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Kenneth was 51. Of the 23 lost to cardiac events in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 46.5 and 56; the middle age was 53. Kenneth had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Kenneth was 51. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Kenneth had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Kenneth was 51. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Kenneth had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
August holds 17.4% of these deaths in GA, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 17.4%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
August holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Colquitt Police Department, the most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 2.5% of all 905 deaths in GA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Colquitt Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Kenneth among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Colquitt Police Department are honored on badge.nw.