Laurens County Sheriff's Office, Georgia
End of Watch Monday, January 12, 1998
Reflections for Deputy Kyle Wayne Dinkheller
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
Thank you for serving America until the end. I'll never forget you. Please rest in peace.
Civian Tanaka Toshiya
22
October 22, 2023
I drive by the scene a couple times a week and always say a prayer. May God watch over your soul and your family.
Rank and name private
Agency confidential
July 8, 2023
Rest in peace brother. We have the watch from here. Thoughts and prayers for you, your family and your department.
Officer Tommy Thomason
Oklahoma National Memorial Museum Security
January 13, 2023
Deputy Dinkheller,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Laurens County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
January 12, 2023
I remember I came across the dashcam footage when I was only 10, and watching what had been done to Deputy Dinkheller affected the trajectory of my life in ways I never quite understood until now. I remember feeling so numb I stared directly into the sun until the light burned holes into my eyes, unequipped and totally unable to grasp why anyone would do something so heinous to someone who was only trying to put some good into the world. Now, almost 13 years later, I realize your sacrifice is what initially propelled me to pursue law enforcement. To continue putting some good into the world in spite of it all. Rest easy, Officer Kyle Dinkheller. I look forward to bearing your torch.
Miguel Camacho
October 28, 2022
My only consolation is I learned from your ultimate sacrifice. Rest in peace, my brother.
George
Hospital Security
August 24, 2022
Rip sir
You will never be forgotten.
I think about this tragic incident all the time.
Godspeed to your family, friends and the Laurens County S. O.
Kelly Brooks
Houston PD
July 17, 2022
Thank you for your service.
Nate Cesario
April 17, 2022
Kyle , I think of you more often now that I’m retired. I will remember you until my time ends. You stood against the tyranny of evil with bravery and honour and paid the supreme sacrifice for it - always remembered young hero
Robert J. Licop
Retired Toronto Police Constable
December 28, 2021
Randomly remembering you today, as I’m sitting inside the station on light duty… I’m writing this to remind you from up above that you are not forgotten. You won’t ever be forgotten. I hope you are sleeping well. Rest easy, brother. We’ll eventually meet in Valhalla.
Deputy A.T.
December 15, 2021
Thank you for time.
Dushyant Bharat Karani
November 18, 2021
The first time I heard your story was 12 years ago, when I was looking into getting into law enforcement. It was not easy then, and it's even harder now. I think about what happened often. I wish I could change it. As a husband and father, I cannot begin to imagine what your family went through and goes through everyday. I know for me, someone who never knew you, it still reverberates in my mind. You are very much still remembered, and I think every LEO in America knows who you are and your sacrifice. Every traffic stop, every call, your name and that stop will echo in my mind. Thank you for your service, and your bravery. Your loss is still felt and remembered, and your sacrifice has saved so many other officers ever since. Rest in peace Deputy, you will always be in my thoughts
Officer Recruit David Muncy
Hopewell Police Department
February 18, 2021
Thinking of you today. Lest we forget.
Sergeant
Denver Police Department
January 12, 2021
Oddly enough, I was looking at the story of two officers in Forsyth County when I clicked on this website. I thought of you but I must admit, I couldn't remember your last name. I decided to click on the Today in history to scan the names and there you were. What are the odds? I first watched the dash cam footage in a criminal justice course in 2012. My heart broke listening to you. What a terrible situation. We were told you were admonished recently prior to that bfor pulling your weapon out too soon and is why you didn't pull your weapon on this scene sooner. Such a tragedy but I speak of you often as we train police officers today. We live in a world where every officer is scrutinized for their decisions. While losing your job or being sued is bad, losing your life is a whole different story and our officers should all feel comfortable drawing their weapon whenever they feel they need to. I'm sorry your life ended the way it did and your children didn't get to know their father. I know they look up to you for the brave hero that you were. Rest in peace.
Sallie, Coordinator
UNG Public Safety Academy
January 12, 2021
I remember the dashcam video from day one when it all began. Kyle fought the good fight as all good, well-trained cops should do. He will always be remembered and never forgotten.
POIII Lev Ellian (ret.)
Montgomery County Police (MD)
August 30, 2020
I am so thankful for you..your didn't have to go through that At all I watched the video and oh my God the screams it ...hunted me but I feel so sad :'(
R.I.P to a hero may God and family be with you
Mimi Ruffin
May 24, 2020
So very sad to lose one of our LEOs that put their life on the line dealing with mental illness & evil alike. May you forever rest in our Heavenly Father’s arms.
Kathleen Harrison
March 18, 2020
Rest in peace Deputy Dinkheller. Young and brave!
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 28, 2020
Rest in Peace Kyle, habe deine traurige Geschichte gesehen und bin traurig und schockiert, was dir und deinem Kollegen passiert ist, Der Gerechtigkeit wurde genüge getan Gott schütze Dich und deine Familie so unfassbar und sinnlos, Eine gute Seele ging zu früh So tragisch wie dein Leben beendet wurde.
Frau
Misses
January 25, 2020
First time I saw the video, was during my Police Academy in March 2003. I was shocked and sadden of this tragic event. RIP brother.
Officer Dagoberto Rendon
Laredo Police Department
January 13, 2020
First time I saw the video, was during my Police Academy in March 2003. I was shocked and sadden of this tragic event. RIP brother.
Officer Dagoberto Rendon
Laredo Police Department
January 13, 2020
Worked with Kyle in the county jail. Was on duty that night at Wrightsville Ga. P.D.
Richard D Mahoney Jr.
Laurens County Sheriff Office, Wrightsville Police Department
January 12, 2020
I learned of your story while in the police academy. I was just two years old on that tragic day . Your a hero who will never be forgotten may you continue to rest peacefully .
Brandon Patrolman
Chicago police
December 16, 2019
RIP officer Dinkheller. I watched the video from your car in a police tribute on youtube. after watching it, I just almost broke down in class and cried, your screaming haunted me the entire day. I HATE COP KILLERS, ALL OF THEM CAN ROT IN HADES.
Jackson Resch
November 18, 2019
Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:
- Quick access to your heroes
- Reflections published quicker
- Save a Reflection signature
- View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past