Canton Names Stephen Merrifield As Police Chief

Stephen L. Merrifield, Chief of Police

City Manager Billy Peppers has officially named Interim Police Chief Stephen Merrifield as the new City of Canton’s Chief of Police. 

“The Canton Police Department is a shining star for public safety, integrity, and honor in our community and region,” Peppers said.  “The work that each member does daily to work with the community, engage with our citizens, protect our businesses, and maintain law and order is exemplary and should be a model to every other law enforcement agency in Georgia.  I am proud to work with them and look forward to Chief Merrifield’s dedication to our purpose of public service with a heart of community".  Mayor Bill Grant added, "We are honored to have Chief Merrifield leading our team, and we look forward to his continued great work".

Merrifield previously had served as the Deputy Chief at the department for the past five years and has been the interim police chief since September 7 of last year, when former Police Chief Mark J. Mitchell accepted a position as Chief of Staff with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.

Chief Merrifield grew up in Forest Park Georgia and graduated from Forest Park High School. He served four (4) years as a United States Army Ranger in Savannah Georgia before beginning his law enforcement career with the Cobb County Police Department in 1984.  He began as an officer and worked in a variety of assignments such as a patrol officer, a Field Training Officer, S.W.A.T. Team member and a member of the department's D.U.I. Task Force. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1989 and served as a Shift Supervisor, D.U.I. Task Force Sergeant and eventually headed up the department's first full-time Tactical Team. In 1998, Steve Merrifield was promoted to Lieutenant and in addition to his assignments as a Shift Commander, S.W.A.T. Team Commander, Criminal Investigations Unit Commander and Park Ranger Commander; he also created the department's first Gang Unit (CAGE) and later the department's First Street Crime Unit (VIPER).

In 2009, Merrifield was promoted to Captain and served in a variety of assignments to include Precinct Commander and Commander of the Internal Affairs Unit.  He was promoted to Major in 2013 and served as the adjutant to the Deputy Chief over Precinct Operations until 2015.

Chief Merrifield graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kennesaw State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management in 2005.  He holds a master’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University. He is also a graduate of the 241st session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

The city will hold a public reception for Chief Merrifield beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2020, in the City Hall Auditorium just prior to the City Council Work Session as an opportunity for the public to formally meet Chief Merrifield, his family and congratulate him on this next season of his career.

Suspect Flees in Stolen Vehicle

On Thursday, January 9, 2020, at approximately 5:00 p.m. Canton Officers responded to a stolen vehicle from Taco Mac located at 1810 Cumming Hwy.  The female victim was an employee of the restaurant who stated a customer had taken her keys from a back area of the restaurant and was attempting to flee the scene. The victim located the suspect in the parking lot and attempted to open the vehicle's door as the suspect drove off forcing her to the ground. She was able to track the vehicle which led the Cherokee Sheriff's Department to its location on I-575 southbound near exit 14 where they apprehended the suspect.  

The suspect was identified as Latoshia Reanca Williams, 29 yrs. old of Alpharetta.  Williams was charged with Theft by Taking a Vehicle and Driving Under the Influence with other charges pending.  The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office will have additional charges related to the incident.

Chief Merrifield added "I would like to thank the Cherokee County Sherriff’s Office for their assistance with this incident.  This is a great example of agencies working together with the support of Cherokee 911". 

Canton Welcomes New Officer

Today Canton's Chief of Police, Stephen Merrifield, introduced its newest Police Officer, Dontravious Calhoun, 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. Family, friends, and other members of the Canton Police were in attendance to show their support. Officer Calhoun previously served seven years at the Georgia Department of Corrections where he served as a Lieutenant. 

Judge T. Roach, Chief S. Merrifield, Ofc. D. Calhoun, Capt. J. Tucker

Pedestrian Killed Crossing Street

Press Release Update: Tuesday, June 17, 2020:

On Tuesday, June 16, 2020, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Christi Hinkley in connection with the fatal pedestrian accident that killed Sebastian Gregorio-Diego last November.

The arrest warrant accuses Hinkley, 64 years-old of Canton, of one count Homicide By Vehicle In 1 St Degree, a felony and one count Hit And Run Resulting In Serious Injury Or Death, a felony.

Hinkley voluntarily turned herself into the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center where she was booked on the charges.


Please see the previous press releases for further information.



Monday, November 26, 2019 Update:

The pedestrian who was struck by the SUV has been identified as:
Sebastian Gregorio-Diego
58 years old of Canton GA


Friday, November 22, 2019 Update:

At this time the Cherokee County Coroner's Office is still working to make a positive identification of the pedestrian.  An autopsy was conducted today by the GBI crime lab with results pending.

The driver of the SUV was Christi Hinkley, 64 years-old of Canton, Georgia. 

This incident is still an ongoing investigation.

Original press release 1:47 PM, 11/21/2019:

A pedestrian was struck by an automobile in Canton, Georgia on Wednesday, November 20, 2019.

Canton Police and Cherokee County Fire personnel responded to the incident near 217 Riverstone Pkwy around 7:45 pm.


Responders located a 52-year-old male from Canton.  The man was struck by an SUV as he attempted to cross the street.  The man succumbed to his injuries on the scene.

The suspect driving the vehicle was a 64-year-old Canton woman.

The accident is being investigated by the Canton Police Department with the assistance of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit. 

Canton Swears In New Police Officer

Today Canton's interim Chief of Police Stephen Merrifield introduced its newest Police Officer, Ben Johnson, to the agency. He was sworn into the department with the Oath of Office by Judge Darrell Caudill at the Canton Public Safety and Municipal Court Complex. Family, friends, and other members of the Canton Police were in attendance to show their support. Officer Johnson brings four years of law enforcement experience, having served previously at the Cobb County Police Department.

Interim Chief Merrifield stated, "Working for a community-oriented police department requires a special officer that has a mindset of community, an attitude of service, and a heart of protection. We feel Officer Johnson is one of those special officers and are excited to have him join our department."

Left to right: Cpt. W. Turner, Judge Darrell Caudill, Ofc. B. Johnson, Chief Stephen Merrifield, Lt. J. Lummus, Cpt. J. Tucker

Suspect Located and Arrested after Domestic Dispute

At approximately 5:45 PM, Tuesday, November 12, 2019, Canton Officers responded to a domestic dispute at the 4000 building of River Ridge Apartments. Officers discovered a female victim at the scene who had fled her apartment from the suspect, her boyfriend, Joseph Evely.  It was determined during the investigation Mr. Evely had assaulted the victim in their apartment.  Officers were unable to make contact with the suspect who was reported to be in the apartment armed with a handgun.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office assisted by deploying their SWAT and Negotiation Team.  After obtaining a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Evely, SWAT made entry into the apartment and found it to be unoccupied. 

Several hours later Canton Officers were able to locate and arrest Mr. Evely at the apartment complex without incident.

Joseph L. Evely, 19 yrs. old of Canton, Ga. is being charged with the violation of O.C.G.A 16-11-37 Terroristic Threats and Acts (Felony) the violation of 16-53.1(a) Battery F.V.A (Misdemeanor) with other charges pending.

Terroristic Threats Arrest

At approximately 8:50 P.M. on Thursday, November 7, 2019, Canton Officers responded to a water leak coming from an apartment into a unit below at the Heritage Apartments located at 101 Heritage Dr, Canton, GA.  Officers attempted to make contact with the resident of the apartment, Jushua Honea.  Mr. Honea refused to cooperate and made terroristic threats towards officers and his wife.  He then barricaded himself inside the residence.  

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office assisted by deploying their Negotiation team and later joined by Cherokee SWAT.  After a four and a half hour negotiation period, the SWAT team made entry into the apartment and apprehended Mr. Honea without incident.  He was transported to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.

Interim Chief Merrifield stated, "I would like to commend our Officer's response to the call and would like to thank the Cherokee County Sherrif's Office for their fast response and safe resolution to the situation.  I would also like to thank the Cherokee County Fire Department, who also was on scene assisting during the incident.  We are proud to have such a great working relationship with all the responding agencies". 

Suspect:
Joshua Honea 36 yrs old of Canton Ga

Charge: 
O.C.G.A. 16-11-37 Terroristic Threats