Canton PD Locate Human Remains Near River

Press Release Update: Friday, December 23, 2022, at 12:23 P.M.

The human remains located in the area of Reformation Parkway and Waleska Street have been identified as:

John Waller
62-year-old of Canton, Georgia

An examination of the remains was performed by the GBI Medical Examiner's Office which provided identification; however, they are still working to determine the cause and manner of death. 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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Original Press Release: November 17, 2022, at 4:03 P.M.
On Thursday, November 17, 2022, Officers responded to Reformation Parkway, near the Waleska Street underpass due to human remains being located in that area. The remains will be turned over to the GBI Crime Lab to be examined.

This incident is actively under investigation. Additional information will be made available as the investigation progresses and the remains are positively identified. 

We ask anyone with information to please contact the Canton Police Department at (770) 720-4883.

Canton PD Receives Reports of Candy Tampering

 The Canton Police Department has now received two separate reports of “candy tampering,” where sewing needles have been located.

On Wednesday, November 2, 2022, our agency contacted and urged two parents to file police reports after learning of two incidents of candy tampering from a social media post. The post described an incident where a sewing needle was located inside a ‘Reese’s Take 5” candy bar. The social media post also contained information regarding another parent who discovered a sewing needle within their child’s candy bag. After receiving the reports, we were able to determine both incidents occurred in the Great Sky neighborhood in Canton, Georgia.

We have not received any other reports of candy tampering at this time, but we caution parents to check their children’s candy thoroughly.

No serious injuries have been reported. This is an ongoing investigation, and we urge anyone with information to contact the Canton Police Department at 770-720-4883.

Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle in Canton

The Canton Police Department is currently investigating an accident where a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle. The accident occurred on October 10, 2022, at approximately 9:30 PM, on Ball Ground Highway at Riverpoint Parkway. 

Officers made contact with the pedestrian, who was conscious and alert on the scene but was transported by Cherokee County EMS and is receiving medical care. 

The driver of the vehicle did not sustain injuries and damage to the vehicle was minor.

This is an active investigation and further information will be provided when available.

Canton Employees Receive Canton Moose Lodge Awards

The Canton Moose Lodge held its annual public safety appreciation dinner Monday, October 3, 2022. Three employees of the Canton Police department were honored with the following awards.

Administrative Assistant Gabriela Gonzalez received the Canton Police Department Employee of the Year award.

Corporal Dennis Pishock also received the Uniform Patrol Supervisor of the Year award.

Lastly, Sergeant Jesse Hamilton received the Criminal Investigations Supervisor of the Year award.

"I would like to congratulate Ms. Gonzalez, Cpl. Pishock and Sgt. Hamilton on receiving their distinguished awards. They work tirelessly in their service to our community, making them overly deserving. I would also like to thank the Canton Moose Lodge for their great support of Public Safety personnel in Cherokee and Pickens County." Chief Stephen Merrifield.

Canton Officers Receive Rotary Club Public Safety Awards

 Rotary Club Public Safety Awards 2022

The Rotary Club of Canton held its fifth annual Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, to honor the best in the community.

The luncheon was held at the Bluff's Conference Center, where public safety officers and partners from within Cherokee County were awarded for their outstanding contributions to their professions.

Officer Carlos Henao of the Canton Police Department was honored with the Public Safety Employee of the Year award. Ofc. Henao has served the citizens of Canton since 2019 and was joined at the luncheon by his wife, and children.

Sergeant Tiffanie Cromer of the Canton Police Department was also honored with the Public Safety Employee of the Year award. Sgt. Cromer has served the citizens of Canton since 2015. She was joined at the luncheon by her husband and mother.

"I would like to congratulate Sergeant Cromer and Officer Henao on this prestigious award and I thank them both for their excellent service to our community" Chief Stephen Merrifield.

Holly Springs Man Arrested on Charges of Public Indecency

On August 24, 2022, Donald Harris, 48, of Holly Springs, was arrested on public indecency charges and transported to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center. 

Arrest warrants were taken after two separate incidents occurred. The first incident occurred on July 28, 2022, when a man reportedly exposed himself to a juvenile male victim while shopping at Kohls (2034 Cumming Hwy). The second incident occurred on August 23, 2022, when a female victim reported a man exposing himself to her while shopping at Hobby Lobby (2449 Cumming Hwy). Canton Police Detectives were able to identify the male through surveillance cameras from within the businesses.

Harris was charged with two (2) counts of public indecency O.C.G.A. 16-6-8. 

We would like to thank the Holly Springs Police Department for their assistance in the arrest. These cases are still active and under investigation.  Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Canton Police Department at (770) 720-4883.

Person Shot on Liberty Blvd

***Update at 6 P.M.***

This afternoon at 1:08 p.m., Canton Police Officers responded to the business Shottenkirk Hyundai at 300 Liberty Blvd., Canton, GA, in reference to gunshots being fired. While responding, an officer spotted a vehicle parked on the side of Liberty Blvd., which matched the description of a vehicle involved in the original dispatch. Inside the vehicle,  an Officer found a female, who was unharmed, and a male who appeared to have a gunshot wound to his leg. The Officer performed life saving techniques on the male to include applying a tourniquet to the patient's leg. 

Initial investigation has revealed the injured male had been in an argument with another male at the original dispatch location, when gunshots were fired. The injured male has been identified as Uriah Tyrek James, age 24, of Douglasville, GA,and is currently conscious and alert while being treated at a local hospital. The other male involved has been identified as Kevon Phillip Duffus, age 30 of Covington, GA, and is currently at the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Detention center and charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault. The involved parties are  not employees or customers of Shottenkirk Hyundai and the nature of the involved parties' relationship is still being researched. 

This incident is an active investigation and updates will be provided when more information is available. Further inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Mary Turner at mary.turner@cantonga.gov. 

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Canton Police responded to a person shot in a vehicle, on Liberty Blvd at 1:08 P.M. this afternoon. The person shot has been transported to a medical facility with his condition unknown at this time. 

A person of interest has been detained and there is no active threat to the public as the incident has been contained. An investigation has just begun and is on going. We will provide an update when more information is available.