Canton Police Announce Promotion

On Tuesday, May 26, 2020, Canton Police Chief, Stephen Merrifield announced the promotion of Sergeant Jesse Ray to the position of Lieutenant in the Support Bureau.

Lieutenant Jesse Ray

Lieutenant Ray has served eight years with the Canton Police Department and brings more than 13 years of experience in law enforcement to his new position. Ray previously served as Sergeant to the Criminal Investigations Division, where he obtained his Georgia P.O.S.T Supervision and Management certificates and completed an FBI LEEDA training in Supervision and Command Leadership. Ray has obtained his Georgia P.O.S.T Intermediate and Advanced Supervision Certificates. Additionally, he has worked as a narcotics agent with the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad. Ray is currently enrolled at Reinhardt University and is in the process of completing his Master's degree in Public Administration.

Chief Stephen Merrifield said, "I am excited to see Lieutenant Ray take this next step in his promising career and look forward to the contributions he will bring to our department."

Canton Police Arrest Florida Fraud Suspect

On Wednesday, May 20th, 2020, Canton Police were notified that a Cherokee County Sheriff’s Deputy was on the scene of a private property accident on the 100 block of Cessna Drive in Canton. The deputy had been waved down by an occupant involved in the accident that occurred in Canton Police's jurisdiction.  Canton Officers responded to the scene to investigate the accident. Prior to the officer's arrival, one of the individuals involved was identified as Sherrod Wright. During the conversation with the drivers, while the deputy was waiting for CPD officers, Sherrod Wright walked into the residence where he was staying to get his driver's license but did not return. A female relative walked out of the residence and brought an identification card to the Deputy Sheriff on the scene with the name Sherrod Wright. Upon conducting a warrant check, it was determined Mr. Wright had approximately ten warrants out of the State of Florida for various fraud-related offenses. Canton Officers attempted to make contact with Mr. Wright at the residence, but he refused to speak with them.

Due to the now known fact that Sherrod Wright had multiple warrants for his arrest out of the State of Florida in the Palm Beach area, Canton Detectives coordinated communication with Detectives in Palm Beach and confirmed the warrants were valid and established that the State of Florida wanted Sherrod Wright to be extradited to Florida on the charges.

Canton Police obtained a search warrant for the home of where Mr. Wright was still located. The Canton Police Department and the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office collaborated to execute the search warrant at the residence.  Mr. Wright was subsequently found hiding in the attic and arrested without incident. Another resident, Janette St Julien was charged with Harboring a Fugitive and Obstruction of a Law Enforcement.

Sherrod Wright
Alpharetta, GA
Male, 35 yrs. old

Janette St Julien
Canton GA
Female, 70 yrs old

Canton Police Welcomes New Officer

Today Canton's Chief of Police, Stephen Merrifield, introduced its newest Police Officer, Kyle Womack, to the agency. He was sworn into the department, with the Oath of Office by Judge Thomas A. Roach Jr. at the Canton Public Safety and Municipal Court Complex, this morning in a private ceremony, due to current conditions. He comes with previous experience as a certified officer from Bartow County Sheriff's Office. We congratulate Officer Womack and welcome him to the CPD family.