Roadway dedicated to fallen officer

LAURENS COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Community members in Laurens County honored an officer who was killed in the line of duty 19 years ago.

Deputy Kyle Dinkheller was killed during a traffic stop in 1998. Law enforcement from all over the state attended a dedication ceremony Friday morning at Dudley Baptist Church to honor him.

Many reflected on Dinkheller’s life and most of all his smile.

“He was just an up beat guy, always good personality, a jokester, loved to pull pranks and joke around,” says Sheriff Darren Mitchum with the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Officer.

Mitchum says Dinkheller was a good husband, father and friend.

“We fish a lot together, hunted, spent a lot of time together off of the job.He was my best friend,” Mitchum adds.

Dinkheller’s family were in attendance as the community dedicated a roadway in his honor.

His father, Kirk Dinkheller says his son is missed dearly and he appreciates the overflow of love he and his family has received.

“He’ll never be gone, I know he’s physically gone but with all this love and support from his fellow officers and people in general, he’ll never be gone,” Dinkheller explains.

A sign with Dinkheller’s name on it is along the intersection of state route 338 and I16.

Dinkheller was survived by his wife, Angela, and their children Ashley and Cody. Cody was born eight months after his father’s death, Ashley was one year old.