Agency Assist Officer-Involved Shooting

 Officers are currently on the scene of an officer-involved shooting, involving the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. The incident occurred at Red Lobster, on Riverstone Parkway. There is no active threat to the public as the incident has been contained. 

For media inquiries, please reach out to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office and the GBI-PIO for further details. A designated media staging area will be in the Wells Fargo parking lot. 

Canton Officers Receive Meritorious Service Award

On Thursday, July 21, 2022, Officer M. Shaw and Detective T. Cruz received the department's Meritorious Service Award for their outstanding investigative performance and criminal apprehension after conducting a routine traffic stop. 

On Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at approximately 10:24 a.m., Officer M. Shaw with Canton Police Department conducted a traffic stop, which resulted in the arrest of a juvenile female for human trafficking, kidnapping, and multiple other charges. 

Officer M. Shaw conducted the traffic stop on North Street near Railroad Street in Canton, Georgia, after observing the driver holding her cellphone while operating the vehicle. He was also able to determine the vehicle involved was stolen out of North Carolina. During a search of the vehicle, 13 THC vape cartridges, 3 vape pens, a THC Nerds Rope, and a large amount of lingerie were located.

 Officer M. Shaw requested Detective T. Cruz to the scene, where after further investigation, they determined the female passenger was a 13-year-old juvenile, who was a victim of human trafficking and kidnapping. 

The victim was reunited with her family. 

For further information on this incident, you can review the initial press release on our Canton Police Newsroom Blog: http://cantonpolicega.blogspot.com/

Canton Police Names Uniform Patrol Bureau Commander

Canton Police Chief, Stephen Merrifield announced the promotion of Lieutenant John Lummus to the position of Police Captain, Uniform Patrol Bureau Commander.

Captain Lummus has twenty-five (25) years of law enforcement experience with his last year serving as Executive Lieutenant to the Office of the Chief of Police. He also served as the Assistant Uniform Patrol Bureau Commander, Office of Professional Standards Sergeant, and Uniform Patrol Sergeant, giving him a well-rounded level of knowledge needed for this position.

In addition to his vast experience, Captain Lummus possesses all the education, training, and P.O.S.T certifications pertinent to the position of Police Captain such as GA P.O.S.T. Intermediate Certification, GA P.O.S.T.Advanced Certification, and F.B.I Leadership Trilogy Graduate.

Chief Merrifield stated, "Captain Lummus has dedicated twenty-five years of his life, serving and protecting the citizens of this great community. He is well respected by every member of this department, and we are blessed to have him in a leadership position. I congratulate Captin Lummus for his great accomplishment in his long and distinguished career."

Canton Police Department Press Release: July 18, 2022.

On Saturday, July 16, 2022, at 3:59 P.M., Officers responded to a deceased subject located in the Etowah River, just North of the Waleska Street bridge. Officers and Detectives, along with the assistance of Cherokee Fire and Rescue, recovered the adult male's body from the river. The deceased is only being described as an adult male at this time until positive identification is obtained and notification of next of kin is made. The manner and cause of death will be determined by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office.

 

This incident is an active death investigation. Additional information will be made available as the investigation progresses. We ask anyone with information to please contact the Canton Police Department at (770) 720-4883.

Detectives Secure Felony Murder Warrant

Press Release Update: Friday, July 8, 2022.

This evening, Canton Detectives secured a felony warrant for Jacob Huckabay (20-years-old old) of Canton, Georgia, in connection with the death of William Watkins. Mr. Huckabay is being held at the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office J
ail, in Alabama and is being charged with the following:

O.C.G.A 16-5-21 (a) Murder with Malice (1 count) (Felony)

This is an active investigation and more details will be given when available.

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Press Release Update: Thursday, July 7, 2022:

The deceased subject located in the area of Waleska Street and Reformation Parkway has been identified as:

William Watkins

42-year-old of Canton, Georgia

An autopsy examination performed by the GBI Medical Examiner's Officer shows the preliminary results of the death of William Watkins, to be homicide. No further details are being released at this time due to the case remaining active and ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Canton Police department at (770) 720-4883.

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On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, Officers responded to a deceased subject located in the area of Waleska Street and Reformation Parkway, in the woodline. Officers recovered the body of an adult male which appears to match the description of William Watkins, who was reported missing on June 18, 2022.

This incident is actively under investigation. Additional information will be made available as the investigation progresses and the deceased person is positively identified. We ask anyone with information to please contact the Canton Police Department at (770) 720-4883

Canton Police Welcome New Officer

The Canton Police Department held a swearing-in ceremony for Officer Jill Thompson on Wednesday, July 6, 2022.  Officer Thompson was sworn into the department by Judge Thomas A. Roach.  Family, friends, and other members of the Canton Police force were in attendance to show their support.  Ofc. Thompson was a recent graduate of the officer training course at the Jasper GPSTC Training Academy.