Prev
Incident
Lieutenant John McKinney suffered a fatal heart attack following a tactical shooting exercise at the department's range.
He was immediately transported to Hamilton Medical Center where he passed away.
Lieutenant McKinney had served with the agency for 21 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, mother, brother, two granddaughters, and two step-grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtr1j2sv45r2bpd3vf7f8- 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 John. 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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant McKinney gave the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Dalton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant McKinney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Whitfield County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
John is one of 23 officers lost to cardiac events in GA, 2.5% of the 905 remembered there.
John is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 2006, 1 officer in GA was lost to cardiac events, the 4th heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 2.
In 2006, 16 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2006, 16 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
John was 57. 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. John had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
John was 57. 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. John had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
John was 57. 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. John had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
December holds 13% of these deaths in GA; August holds the most, 17.4%. Wednesdays: 17.4%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Whitfield County Sheriff's Office, 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
Whitfield County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Whitfield County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
