Richmond County Sheriff's Office, Georgia
End of Watch Sunday, September 20, 2020
Add to My HeroesCharles Edward Norton
Sergeant Charles Norton died after contracting COVID-19 as the result of a presumed exposure while on duty.
Sergeant Norton had served with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office for 22 years. He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, two grandchildren, and two sisters.
The Effects of COVID on Law Enforcement
Beginning in early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country began to contract COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Due to the nature of their job, law enforcement officers were required to work and interact with the community even as the majority of the country was self-quarantined. As a result, hundreds of officers died from COVID-related illnesses and other complications.
Corrections agencies, in particular, suffered tremendous losses due to the constant and close proximity between the corrections officers and large inmate populations. Since March 2020, ODMP has verified that over 600 law enforcement officers have died as the result of a confirmed or presumed exposure while on duty and continues to work with hundreds of other agencies that have suffered a COVID-related death.
Visit ODMP's COVID-19 memorial listing every officer who has died as a result of a confirmed or presumed exposure.
Bio
- Age 62
- Tour 22 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause COVID19
Most Recent Reflection
View all 73 ReflectionsI am thankful you’re in heaven watching over Eric Norton aka your twin, while he is the hospital fighting for his life!
Rest Easy!
D N
September 7, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Walter Jenkins
Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: May 11, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Robert Adam Howard
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: May 11, 2022

Patrol Officer Brian Lee Sember
Ottawa Police Department, IL
EOW: April 3, 2022

Sergeant Nicholas W. Tullier
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: May 5, 2022

Police Officer Darryl Wayne Fortner
Vestavia Hills Police Department, AL
EOW: April 6, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Nicholas D. Weist
Knox County Sheriff's Office, IL
EOW: April 29, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Douglas Warren Sanford
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: March 29, 2022

Police Officer David Glen Evans
San Antonio Police Department, TX
EOW: February 25, 2022

Sheriff Robert P. Craft
Marion County Sheriff's Office, KS
EOW: February 16, 2022