Deputy Dinkheller was killed on 12 January 1998. He made a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle, the driver of which emerged and immediately shot him with a .30 carbine, some rounds striking areas not protected by the officer's body armour and he died at the scene. The deputy returned fire and wounded the driver in the stomach, The shooter was captured after a search. He was a militia/survivalist member and his home was surrounded by a series of tunnels and trenches, which helped him initially avoid the helicopter FLIR. Kyle Dinkeller was 22 years of age and is survived by his wife Angela and their 22 month old daughter. At the time of Kyle's death, Angela was expecting a son.