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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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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
La Salle County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1886, 14 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1886, 51 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1886, 58 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 135th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 29. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Charles had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Charles was 29. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at La Salle County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
La Salle County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from La Salle County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
