Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joe Stewart and Corporal James Tarver were struck and killed by a vehicle as they and a George State Patrol trooper 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 Deputy Sheriff Stewart, who died on the scene, and then hit 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.
Deputy Stewart was a United States Army Air Corps WWII veteran. He was survived by his wife and children. His father-in-law and grandson also served in law enforcement.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp6wq0pheg2nc92d7dc2- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joe. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Joe is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Stewart served with the Spalding County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Griffin community. Thank you 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
Joe C. Stewart Jr. served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Spalding County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Joe is one of 264 officers lost to accidents in GA, 29.2% of the 905 remembered there.
Joe is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joe 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
Joe was 55. Of the 251 lost to accidents in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36.
Joe was 55. 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.
Joe was 55. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
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, Joe among them.
Where
Military Service
Joe C. Stewart Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Joe C. Stewart Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Spalding County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
