Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Joseph Fennell was stabbed to death by a man he was attempting to arrest. The suspect, 30, was apprehended the same day. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on March 24, 1949, because the state could not provide him with the special diet he needed for stomach ulcers. Chief Fennell had served with the Cadwell Police Department for three years and previously served with the Chester Police Department for 22 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 12 children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-3D6BC7E5- Stewardship
- 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
25 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Fennell gave the Cadwell Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Cadwell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Fennell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Joseph Early Fennell is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In GA, 549 of 905 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 60.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Cadwell Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Early Fennell's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Early Fennell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Early Fennell is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Early Fennell was killed by edged weapon.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cadwell Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
