WACO, TX — The community is mourning the loss of Waco Police Officer William Michael McKinney. He lost his battle with cancer on December 19th.
His friends and family will say their final goodbye's at his funeral on the 28th.
"Mike McKinney was always smiling, always laughing, and he made everyone around him be the same way," said Commander Steve Mosley.
Waco Police Officer McKinney was a son, father, husband, and proud public servant.
"He was the ultimate professional," said Mosley, "His work ethic was outstanding."
Ofc. McKinney started his career with the Waco Police Department as a Police Recruit on September 7, 2004. He was commissioned as a Police Officer on January 11, 2005.
On July 22, 2005, Ofc. McKinney took a short leave from Waco PD to become a Waco Firefighter. After being a firefighter, Ofc. McKinney decided that he wanted to return to his passion, which was policing.
He was rehired as a Waco Police Officer on January 7, 2008, and was assigned to the Patrol Division. On January 30, 2011, Ofc. McKinney transferred to the Street Crimes Unit, where he spent the next 3 ½ years before returning to the Patrol Division on June 15, 2014. On November 27, 2016, Ofc. McKinney transferred to the Drug Enforcement Section, where he served as a detective.
During his time here at Waco PD, Officer William Michael McKinney received several awards, including the Waco Police Department’s Life-Saving Award, the Certificate of Merit award, 3 Meritorious Unit Awards, and several written commendations.
"What we want to do is highlight the joyous person that he was and the true servant, a true hero that he was not only to this community but this country as well," said Officer Bynum, Public Information Officer with Waco PD.
McKinney's loved ones and police family are now feeling a bit empty as they grieve the loss of someone who filled their hearts instantly.
"For our police family, it's just something that we are going to have to cope with for a while," said Mosley.
"It's like a punch in the gut, but at the end of the day, we pick up the pieces, and we move forward with him in our memory," said Bynum.
Mosely reminding McKinney's family that they are in this together for the long run.
"I just want them to know how much he was cared about here and that they, even though he is gone, they will always be a part of our family."
He was a true hero whose legacy will never be forgotten.
His funeral will take place in Whitney at 10:30 a.m. Monday morning. The funeral is closed to the public but open to local first responders.
