Deputy Kyle Wayne Dinkheller

Deputy Kyle Wayne Dinkheller | Laurens County Sheriff's Office, Georgia
Laurens County Sheriff's Office, Georgia
Deputy Kyle Wayne Dinkheller

Laurens County Sheriff's Office, Georgia

End of Watch Monday, January 12, 1998

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Kyle Wayne Dinkheller

Deputy Kyle Dinkheller was shot and killed after pulling over a man on Whipple Cross Road near Dudley, Georgia.

He had initiated the traffic stop on I-16 after clocking a vehicle driving 98 mph. During the traffic stop, he called in for backup. Before the backup arrived he was shot by the man with a rifle. He was able to return fire, striking the subject in the stomach. The subject was found during a search the next morning and taken into custody.

The entire incident was videotaped by a camera in Deputy Dinkheller's patrol car. On January 28, 2000, the subject was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to death two days later. He was put to death on January 13th, 2015.

Deputy Dinkheller had served with the Laurens County Sheriff's Office for four years. He is survived by his expectant wife and 22-month-old daughter. Deputy Dinkheller's son was born in early September 1998.

Bio

  • Age 22
  • Tour 4 years
  • Badge 37

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Rifle; .30 caliber
  • Offender Executed in 2015

traffic stop

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Dinkheller,

I was 17 years old when I watched your video for the very first time. The fight that you fought this very day reflects the amount of will, courage, strength and fight you had within you to always pursue the good in this life and those who stand against it.
You had to give your life away this day but you saved thousands of brothers and sisters who were able to learn from your actions this day.
I know that somewhere up there in the sky, beyond the sun and the stars, you look down and you feel pride in every single officer that was able to learn from you. You can be encouraged by what you see, by those who walk the streets with pride on their shoulders and a badge on their uniform.
You are the reason so many Officers even pursued law enforcement.

I also want to thank your Dad. Despite the fact that he had to go through the unimaginable pain of losing you, he went through it with the goal to help others. And he did. Teaching so many Officers out there what and what not to do in situations like yours.
Thank you both!

Rest easy Kyle.

Jonas Klein, Paramedic
RKISH Germany

October 5, 2024

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