City of Canton Announces Assistant City Manager, Staff Promotions

 The City of Canton announced recent staff promotions including the creation of a new assistant city manager position this week. Mr. Nathan Ingram will transition from the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Canton to the new Assistant City Manager position effective February 26. The new assistant city manager position will oversee the operational components of the City of Canton, including finance, human resources, technology, municipal court operations, and special projects. Ms. Melissa Forrester received a promotion from Accounting Services Manager to Finance Director.

The City of Canton operates an annual budget of $53 million. Additionally, in the Canton Police Department, Captain Wendell Turner received a promotion to Deputy Chief of Police following the promotion of Stephen Merrifield from that position to Chief of Police in January.

“We have a fantastic team at the City of Canton, and it is always an honor to promote from within when there are such highly skilled individuals in our organization,” stated City Manager Billy Peppers. “The Mayor and Council have been supportive of our organizational changes and we certainly look forward to continuing to serve our community in an

efficient and effective manner.”

Mr. Nathan Ingram

Assistant City Manager Nathan Ingram

Nathan Ingram has served as the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Canton for the past 8 years. He joined the team following a decade of service as an auditor for a private CPA firm, which included extensive auditing work of local government finances. Mr. Ingram graduated from North Georgia College and holds a license as a certified public accountant.

Finance Director Melissa Forrester

Ms. Melissa Forrester

Melissa Forrester joined the City of Canton over 11 years ago, serving in the positions of accountant, budget analyst and most recently as accounting services manager. She holds a degree in accounting from Kennesaw State University and a master’s in business administration from Reinhardt University. Ms. Forrester also holds a license as a certified public accountant.

Deputy Chief Wendell Turner

Deputy Chief Wendell Turner

Deputy Chief of Police Wendell Turner has over 27 years of law enforcement experience to include almost six years as the Director of Public Safety for the City of Statesboro, where he managed Police, Fire, and 911. Turner joined the Canton Police Department four years ago as a Captain over the Support Services Bureau. He has a Bachelor's degree from Georgia Southern University and a Master's in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State. He is also a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.

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Press inquiries to City of Canton Billy Peppers, City Manager billy.peppers@cantonga.gov 770-704-1500

Canton Police Announce Promotion

Chief Merrifield announced the promotion of Wendell Turner to the position of Deputy Chief.   Turner previously held the position of Captain over the Support Bureau and has been with the department for the past four years.

"I am extremely fortunate to have Deputy Chief Turner assist me in managing this great department," Chief Merrifield said. "I look forward to working with him to keep the Canton Police Department moving forward and providing professional and exemplary  police services to our citizens."

Turner, a twenty (27) year law enforcement veteran, began his career with the Statesboro Police Department in 1993 as a uniformed patrol officer.  He was quickly promoted through the ranks attaining positions in the Patrol Bureau as an Advanced Patrol Officer, Investigative Bureau as Detective, Professional Standards and Training Division Commander as Lieutenant, Support Services Division Commander as Lieutenant and later Captain, and Patrol Bureau Commander as Captain.


Wendell Turner also progressed in a tactical capacity as an Emergency Response Team (ERT) member, ERT Team Leader, and ERT Team Commander.  In 2010, he was appointed by the Statesboro City Manager to the newly created position of Director of Public Safety.  The position is the Department Head for the Police and Fire Departments and his overall responsibilities included the administration, operations, personnel management, fiscal preparations and responsibilities of each department.


Mr. Turner holds several Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) Certifications to include:  Basic LE Certification, Senior Training Instructor Certification, Managerial Certification, and Executive Certification.  He has been an adjunct instructor for Ogeechee Technical College and the Southeast Georgia Regional Police Academy. He has also taught upper-level Justice Studies classes at Georgia Southern University as a part-time faculty member.


Wendell Turner has over 3,400 hours of Advanced Law Enforcement training to his credit and also holds several current and past professional memberships and board appointments.


In addition, Wendell Turner has been recognized for several professional achievements throughout his career to include: Departmental Accommodations, Several Departmental Top Gun Awards, Supervisor of the Year, FBINA Fitness Excellence Award and a prestigious FBI Appreciation Certificate awarded by former FBI Director Mueller.


Furthermore, he considers himself extremely fortunate having graduated the 213th Session of the FBI National Academy Program in Quantico, VA, the 23rd Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Command College and the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Professional Management Program. He obtained his BS Degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia Southern University (2004) and his MPA Degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University (2006).

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