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Incident
Police Chief Herschel Hutchings was struck and killed by a vehicle while assisting a Georgia State Patrol trooper investigate an accident on Highway 11, just north of the Alabama state line.
They were conducting a measurement in the southbound lane when Chief Hutchings stepped back into the path of a vehicle in the northbound lane. Chief Hutchings was transported to Erlanger Hospital, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Chief Hutchings had served as police chief for 18 years and also served as a Dade County constable.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, and grandson.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Chief Hutchings gave the Trenton Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Trenton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Chief Hutchings.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Herschel is the only officer of Trenton Police Department remembered here.
Herschel is one of 264 officers lost to accidents in GA, 29.2% of the 905 remembered there.
Herschel is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Herschel 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 1968, 8 officers in GA were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1968, 100 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1968, 117 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Herschel was 64. Of the 251 lost to accidents in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Herschel had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Herschel was 64. 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. Herschel had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Herschel was 64. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Herschel had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 10.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 12.5%. Sundays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Trenton Police Department.
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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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