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Incident
Corporal Jim Tarver was struck and killed by a vehicle as he and a George State Patrol trooper and a Spaulding County Administrator investigated an earlier accident on State Route 93, four miles west of Griffin, at about 7:10 pm. They were measuring skid marks on the northern side of a hill crest when an 18-year-old man driving a small pickup truck northbound on Highway 92 came over the hill and, not being able to see the officers in time, first struck the administrator who died on the scene, and then struck Corporal Tarver. Corporal Tarver died en route to the hospital. The driver was not charged due to what was decided by the officers' negligence for not warning oncoming drivers of their presence in the roadway. Corporal Tarver was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Spalding County Sheriff's Office and previously served with the Clayton County Sheriff's Office and Morrow Police Department. for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by three sons.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. James is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Corporal Tarver gave the Spalding County Sheriff's Office 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Griffin community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Marion Tarver Sr. served in the U.S. Army (1953â1956) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Spalding County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 264 officers lost to accidents in GA, 29.2% of the 905 remembered there.
James is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1980, 3 officers in GA were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 8.
In 1980, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1980, 86 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 46th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 46. Of the 251 lost to accidents in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. James had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 46. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. James had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 46. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 12.5% of these deaths in GA, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 16.7%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Spalding County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 905 deaths in GA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Spalding County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Military Service
James Marion Tarver Sr. served in the U.S. Army (1953–1956) before joining law enforcement.
Visit James Marion Tarver Sr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Spalding County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
