Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff C. J. Doc Sorrells was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man for domestic disturbance. The suspect shot Sheriff Sorrells after claiming he was going to give himself up. Sheriff Sorrells was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries three hours later. Sheriff Deputy Haralson was also shot but recovered from his wounds. Sheriff Sorrells' son was appointed interim Sheriff. On August 30, 1962, the suspect, 35, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on August 31, 1971. Sheriff Sorrells had served with the Walton County Sheriff's Office for 25 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-4103E5F5- 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.
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Sorrells gave the Walton County Sheriff's Office 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Monroe community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Sorrells.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Charles James Sorrells 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 Walton County Sheriff's Dept., 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles James Sorrells's cause is highlighted.
How Charles James Sorrells Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1971
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles James Sorrells is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles James Sorrells was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Walton County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
