Emerson L. McKinnon
Agency patch
Policeman

Emerson L. McKinnon

Denver Police Department — Denver, CO
Accident
End of Watch May 20, 1919
The Vigil Panel 84 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Policeman McKinnon was killed when fell through an opening in an elevator shaft while assisting city firefighters battle a fire at the city shops. As he and two firefighters advanced a hose line he fell down the shaft, striking the concrete floor 20-feet below. He succumbed to his injuries six days later.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpkr9mq7an3yyd3whb0c
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Emerson. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman McKinnon served with the Denver Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Denver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman McKinnon.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Denver, Denver County, CO
Platform Identity dpd.denver.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 20, 1919
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Emerson is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1919, 51 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 94th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

Denver Police Department has 74 officers remembered here, Emerson among them.

Across the years

Policeman Emerson L. McKinnon

Denver Police Department · End of Watch May 20, 1919

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-W

↑