By Kim McDarison
Officers with the Fort Atkinson Police Department will today be wearing mourning bands as they honor and remember patrolman David A. McKee, Sr.
McKee died in the line of duty on April 9, 1968, according to information shared by the department, after trying to save a teenaged boy who had fallen into the Rock River.
The boy fell into the river from the North Western Railroad trestle in downtown Fort Atkinson.
At the time, McKee was 38 years old and a 14-year Fort Atkinson Police Department veteran.
When he arrived at the scene and saw the teenager in trouble, he removed his gunbelt, coat and shoes as he ran towards the river and jumped in. He swam out to the boy, but became exhausted while struggling with the panicked child in the frigid water.
Both went under the water’s surface.
The boy’s body was recovered 30 minutes later and McKee’s body was recovered two hours after the incident, according to the police department’s website.
The patrolman was survived by his wife, six sons, mother, brother and three sisters.
Fort Atkinson Police Officers will be wearing mourning bands on their badges from noon today until noon tomorrow in honor of McKee’s untimely death and heroic act.
A monument stands today in Lorman Bicentennial Park and offers the following inscription: “Officer Down: On a cold and overcast day — April 9, 1968 Police Officer David McKee dove into the Rock River to rescue a boy who had fallen from the railroad bridge above. Neither of them survived.
“Officer McKee left behind his wife and six young sons. His oldest son was 16, the same age as the boy he so valiantly tried to rescue.
“This memorial is dedicated to all the brave men and women who serve and protect our community.”
On an online memorial page, remembering fallen officers, nearly 30 commenters, between 2008 and 2021, have shared their thoughts and memories about McKee, including his “last born son,” who wrote his comment in 2013, sharing that he was 3 when his father died.
Vern Zech wrote in 2012: “Thank you for trying to save my childhood friend,” and a granddaughter on the anniversary of McKee’s death in 2008, wrote: “It has been 40 years ago that grandpa lost his life today. Although I have never had the chance to meet my grandfather, I am truly honored to say I am his granddaughter.”
A grandson wrote simply: “R.I.P. Grandpa.”
The fifth son of McKee, writing in an unknown year, noted that he was 8 when his father lost his life.
“I have great memories of my father and the service that he gave to the Fort Atkinson community. I truly appreciate that the police forces throughout America recognizes these brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” he wrote.
To read and leave memories of McKee, visit: https://www.odmp.org/officer/reflections/9031-patrolman-david-a-mckee-sr/25.
Patrolman David McKee
Photo courtesy of the Hoard Historical Museum.
Above three: Pictures of the monument in honor of David McKee and all “the brave men and women who serve and protect our community” as it stands today in Lorman Bicentennial Park.
Chris Spangler photos.
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