MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The "Sea of Blue" in honor of Officer Joseph McKinney will take place on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 7:45 p.m.
McKinney was killed in the line of duty in the early morning of April 12, after being shot in southwest Memphis while responding to a call.
The Memphis Police Department confirmed the procession will start at the Southland Mall and go eastbound, to eventually go towards Raines Station, where McKinney served after joining the Memphis Police Department in 2020.
Additionally, the service for McKinney will take place the next day, on Monday, April 22 at 1:30 p.m. at Hope Church in Cordova — 8500 Walnut Grove Road. McKinney's family will greet friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The burial will immediately follow the service at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., in Memphis.
Seas of Blue are planned in honor of a fallen law enforcement member, they usually comprise first responders travelling in procession with the emergency lights on.
On the early morning of April 12, MPD officers responded to a suspicious vehicle call at Horn Lake Road and Charter Avenue around 2:20 a.m. McKinney was one of the officers.
There, MPD said officers were shot at as they approached the car, and they returned fire.
Two officers were shot and taken to Regional One Hospital. Two suspects, an 18-year-old and a 17-year-old, were also hit by gunfire, and taken to Regional One.
The 18-year-old, identified as Jaylen Lobley, did not survive. Lobley had been released from jail on his own recognizance in March for past crimes.
Later that day it was announced that a third officer was also injured.
Hours later, Interim Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis confirmed McKinney was dead.
The two other officers are expected to recover.