Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Potts was killed in an automobile accident as he and a reserve deputy were responding to assist another officer on Georgia Highway 71. Their patrol car rolled several times when he swerved to avoid a pickup truck that had pulled out in front of them. Deputy Potts succumbed to his injuries the following day. The driver of the truck fled the scene of the accident but was arrested the following day. The man was sentenced to 5 years in prison and 14 years of probation. Deputy Potts had served with the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office for 9 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-F937B194- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Durwin. Claim this record.
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Potts gave the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dalton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Potts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Durwin Lynn Potts is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Whitfield County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Durwin Lynn Potts's cause is highlighted.
How Durwin Lynn Potts Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 5 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Durwin Lynn Potts is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Durwin Lynn Potts was killed by automobile.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Whitfield County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
