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.

Traffic Stop Leads to Human trafficking Arrest, Canton, Georgia

Traffic Stop Leads to Human Trafficking Arrest, Canton, Georgia

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

The officer conducted the traffic stop on North Street near Railroad Street in Canton, Georgia, after observing the driver holding her cellphone while operating the vehicle. When asked for identification, the female driver could not provide a driver's license or identification, leading the Officer to obtain her name and date of birth.

The officer returned to his vehicle, where upon running the vehicle registration, learned the 2014 Dodge Caravan was reported stolen out of North Carolina. A search of the van was conducted, which led to locating 13 THC vape cartridges, 3 vape pens, a THC Nerds Rope, and a large amount of lingerie.

Suspicious of the relationship and items located in the vehicle, detectives were requested to the scene. After further investigation, detectives determined the female passenger was a 13-year-old juvenile, who was a victim of human trafficking and kidnapping. Officers and Detectives were able to determine the driver was transporting the victim to another state.

The female driver was placed under arrest. Charges listed are listed below:

-Trafficking of Persons for Labor or Sexual Servitude

-Kidnapping

-Giving False Name, Address, or Date of Birth

-Theft by Receiving Stolen Property -Stolen in Other State

-Unlawful Use of Wireless Device

- VGCSA Possession of a Controlled Substance

It was later determined the female driver was in fact a 16-year-old juvenile, after obtaining her true identity. She is currently in custody at a regional youth detention center.

The victim has been reunited with her family.

Chief Stephen Merrifield stated, “I would like to express my gratitude for the exceptional work of our Officers and Detectives in this case. By taking a routine traffic stop and conducting an exceptional investigation, members of the Canton Police Department forever changed a young girl's life for the better.” 

Canton Police Recover Deceased Subject Located Near River

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.