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Incident
Sheriff George Winningham and his son, Deputy Floyd Winningham, were shot and killed after responding to a lumber camp to investigate reports of a murder.
When the two, along with a third deputy, arrived at the camp, they were informed that a murder had not taken place but that there was a drunk male who was causing a disturbance and he was located in a railroad boxcar. When the officers reached the boxcar, they told the man to come out, but he opened fire with a .45 caliber handgun, striking Deputy Floyd Winningham in the head twice, killing him.
In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, Sheriff George Winningham was shot in the abdomen. He succumbed to his wounds the following day while being transported to a Nashville Hospital.
After shooting the two officers, the suspect fled into the woods, where he remained for several weeks. The suspect eventually turned himself into a Scott County deputy for fear that he would be killed if he were caught by posse members. Several days after being arrested, a mob of citizens and lawmen broke into the jail, took the suspect and another prisoner, and murdered them in Scott County.
Sheriff Winningham was serving his fifth term as Sheriff when he was murdered.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, who was appointed Sheriff after his death, and son, Sheriff Willie Winningham of Clinton County, Kentucky.
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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Winningham gave the Pickett County Sheriff's Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Byrdstown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Winningham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pickett County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
George is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1933, 9 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 61. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. George had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
George was 61. 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. George had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 61. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. George had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Sundays: 15.5%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Pickett County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 1.2% 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 handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Pickett County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, George among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Pickett County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
