Dixon Teen's Efforts to Honor Fallen Constable Will Take Shape Tuesday During Dedication Ceremony

The hard work of a Dixon teenager has paid off in a big way and has brought recognition to life of a Dixon constable who lost his life in the line of duty.

On Tuesday, April 26, 3 p.m., at the the efforts of 16-year-old Tarron Lane, a junior at , will come to pass during the dedication of a bench and plaque honoring Constable Daniel McKinnon.

“I think it’s great, all the things that we have been able to do successfully,” Lane said. “It’s a bigger event than what I had originally planned. This event will be bigger and more people will know about it … and increase the awareness of the history.”

McKinnon lost his life on Nov. 22, 1918, as he and a city marshal attempted to apprehend a man who moments earlier had shot a railroad brakeman. According to historical records, McKinnon and the marshal chased the shooter to the highway and were fired upon. One of the shots struck McKinnon in the chest, killing him at the age of 48.

The marshal who was with McKinnon shot back and struck the man, who later died from his wounds. Lane first heard McKinnon’s story from another Dixonite.

“A citizen of our community, Mike Smith, he had done some research and had found articles that talked about how this constable was killed,” Lane said. “He had brought up the idea to create a memorial in Dixon as the first and only police officer to have died in Dixon in the line of duty. And he had brought it to the Rotary Club and they thought it was a good idea to do as an Eagle Project.”

The Rotary Club then contact Boy Scouts leaders, who passed the project along to Lane. All of the information was turned over to Lane, he said, including copies of the articles and other research done.

“From there I worked with the Rotary Club and the (Dixon) Police Department and the City of Dixon to figure out options for the memorial,” he said.

Lane figured that a bench would be a fitting tribute to the constable along with a plaque. He received approval from the Dixon City Council to go ahead with the project, along with the thumbs up from the Dixon Police Department.

His next challenge was to raise enough funds for the plaque and a bench that would stand the test of time and be compatible with other benches in the Downtown Dixon area.

The black-cast iron bench costs $1,024 and the plaque came in at a cost of $400, the latter costing significantly less because of break in the price that in Dixon gave Lane, he said.

But the funeral home was not the only group that donated to the cause. The Rotary Club of Dixon donated $500; Dixon Lions Club donated $500; Dixon Kiwanis Club donated $190 and several local businesses and community groups donated as well.

“When we heard the story about Constable McKinnon we felt strongly that it was our duty to be part of the ceremony to honor him,” said Chris Donhost, manager of Bryan-Braker, in a press release.

The bench and plaque will be dedicated during a Tuesday ceremony at the Dixon Police Department. At  3 p.m., the Boy Scouts will perform a flag ceremony followed by a short dedication. A procession will form and will consist of a rider-less horse bearing a wreath of vintage flowers, a current member of the Dixon Police Department and members of McKinnon’s family.

The procession will make its way to McKinnon’s grave, which is nearly a mile away from the Dixon Police Department.

Lane said he is most excited to meet members of McKinnon’s family Tuesday – which include McKinnon’s daughter, great granddaughters and great-great grandsons – who are scheduled to be at the ceremony.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” said 87-year-old Valerie Jones, McKinnon’s granddaughter in a press release. “I am incredibly grateful to Tarron for finding out so much. Our whole family will be there and we’re excited that Dixon is giving us this chance for our entire family to be a part of this special remembrance for my grandfather.”

Tuesday’s dedication ceremony will punctuate Lane’s Eagle Scout Project, but Lane must still do other things to gain the highest rank in the Boy Scouts, he said. Lane, who started at the age of 8 in the Cub Scouts and is now a member of the Varsity Scouts Team 261 in Dixon, must do a write up about his experience in doing the project and how he has learned and grown as a leader.

Lane must also complete some other requirements including merit badges, and must do an interview with Boy Scouts leaders in order to become an Eagle Scout.

“We are so proud of Tarron and appreciative that the community is giving Constable McKinnon this honor,” said Dixon Police Chief Jon Cox, in a press release. “We are also very thrilled that Constable McKinnon’s granddaughter is still alive and able to be part of this special event.”