Correctional Officer Carlton R. Cherry, Sr.

Correctional Officer Carlton R. Cherry, Sr.

Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia

End of Watch Thursday, February 27, 1997

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Carlton R. Cherry, Sr.

Correctional Officer Carlton Cherry, Correctional Officer Wayne Griglen, Officer Eddie Davis, and Sergeant Tommie Goggins were killed in an automobile crash while returning from an Emergency Response Team training class.

As they were driving on I-75, six miles south of Tifton, a tractor-trailer forced them off of the road and directly into the path of two tractor-trailers heading in the opposite direction. Both semis struck the van simultaneously. Two of the officers were thrown from the van, and the rest were trapped inside. Eight other officers who were riding in the van were hospitalized.

The driver of the semi that caused the crash was charged with several offenses, including four counts of vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident.

Officer Cherry was a United States Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He had served with the Georgia Department of Corrections for eight years and was assigned to the Rutledge Correctional Institution.

He is buried at Fort Benning Main Post Cemetery at Fort Benning, Muscogee County, Georgia.

Bio

  • Age 47
  • Tour 8 years
  • Badge Not available
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Automobile crash

routine driving

Most Recent Reflection

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Rest in peace always knowing that yours and your partners service and sacrifice are always remembered by your law enforcement brethren. God Speed.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

February 27, 2021

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