Mattoon Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Saturday, February 22, 1868
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 22, 1868
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available
Captain John McKinstry was shot and killed while attempting to keep order at a public dance. No one knew he was murdered until December 29, 1873, when a witness could no longer keep the secret.
Captain McKinstry was a US Army veteran of the Civil War and had been held as a prisoner of war by the Confederate Army. He was survived by his wife and four children.