Pedestrian Killed Crossing Street

Press Release Update: Wednesday, 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. 

Aggravated Assault Arrest

On June 10, at 9:55 AM, Canton Officers responded to Wells Fargo Bank located at 140 Prominence Point Pkwy to a report of a disorderly customer at the drive-thru armed with a handgun making threats. Witnesses stated a male threw a pneumatic tube canister at the teller window, yelled obscenities, made threats of violence, and produced a handgun before leaving the scene in his vehicle.

With the help of surveillance footage and witnesses, officers were able to identify the individual as Michael Roberts, 43 years old from Canton, Georgia.  A warrant was secured for the arrest of Mr. Roberts.  

Later that evening, the Paulding County Sheriff's Office arrested Mr. Roberts at a relative's home.  He was transported to the Cherokee Adult Detention Center and charged with Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats and Criminal Damage to Property.

Canton Police Chief Stephen Merrifield said, “I would like to thank all of the Canton P.D. Officers involved in this case for their hard work in getting this armed and dangerous person in custody. I would also like to thank the Paulding County Sheriff's Department for their assistance in locating and arresting this suspect”.

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.

Canton Officer Rescues Teens From River

Canton Officer Rescues Teens From River

Video Press Release

Incident Information:

Where: Etowah River Park (canoe ramp) 600 Brown Industrial Pkwy, Canton, GA 30114
When: Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at approximately 6:30 pm.

Canton Police Names Support Bureau Commander

Canton Police Chief, Stephen Merrifield announced the promotion of Lieutenant Matt Baldwin to the position of Police Captain, Support Bureau Commander.

 Captain Baldwin has twenty-three (23) years of law enforcement experience with his last four (4) years serving as the Assistant Support Bureau Commander. Captain Baldwin had also served in a variety of assignments, giving him a well-rounded level of knowledge as a patrol officer, Uniform Patrol Division shift supervisor, CMANS agent, detective, and Criminal Investigations Supervisor.

 In addition to his vast experience, Captain Baldwin possesses all the education, training, and P.O.S.T certifications pertinent to the position of Police Captain such as a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia Southern University, GA P.O.S.T. Intermediate Certification, GA P.O.S.T. Advanced Certification, GA P.O.S.T. Supervisory Certification, GA P.O.S.T. Managerial Certification, and F.B.I Leadership Trilogy Graduate.

 Chief Merrifield stated, "Captain Baldwin has lived in Cherokee County all of his life and served the citizens of Canton for twenty-three years as a member of the Canton Police Department. I congratulate him on this great career accomplishment and look forward to working with him to continue providing professional law enforcement services to our community."