Constable McKinnon was shot and killed as he and the city marshal attempted to arrest a man who had shot railroad brakeman moments earlier. Upon hearing the shots, the two officers began chasing the hobo down the highway. The suspect opened fire on the officers, striking Constable McKinnon in the chest, killing him. The city marshal returned fire and struck the suspect. The man was taken to the county jail where he died from his wounds two days later.
Constable McKinnon was survived by his wife and son.