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Incident
Location: Alabama Weapon: Automobile Offender: Sentenced to 30 years
Deputy Sheriff Eric Minix died as a result of being struck by a police car while in a vehicle pursuit in Chambers County, Alabama.
The pursuit began in Coweta County, Georgia, before crossing the state line into Alabama on I-85. An officer from Alabama successfully deployed spike strips, which caused the suspect vehicle to come to a stop. Deputy Minix exited his car and was giving commands to the driver when another officer arriving at the scene inadvertently struck him. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
At least seven law enforcement agencies were assisting in apprehending the subject, who was driving a stolen vehicle. The subject was arrested at the scene. The man had been arrested 17 times with three felony convictions. In 2025, he pleaded guilty to six counts of felony fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and one count of theft by receiving stolen property and was sentenced to 30 years in prison without parole plus an additional 20 years of probation.
Deputy Sheriff Minix had served with the Coweta County Sheriff's Office for 4-1/2 years and served on the canine unit. He had previously served with the Tyrone Police Department for over five years.
He was posthumously awarded the 2023 Officer of the Year.
Deputy Sheriff Minix had served with the Coweta County Sheriff's Office for 4-1/2 years and served on the canine unit. He had previously served with the Tyrone Police Department for over five years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three daughters, father and stepmother, and four sisters.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Minix gave the Coweta County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newnan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Minix.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Coweta County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Eric is one of 264 officers lost to accidents in GA, 29.2% of the 905 remembered there.
Eric is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Eric is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2024, 4 officers in GA were lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 8.
In 2024, 52 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2024, 54 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 99th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Eric was 31. Of the 251 lost to accidents in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Eric had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eric was 31. 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. Eric had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eric was 31. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Eric had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 8% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 12.5%. Thursdays: 16.3%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Coweta County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 905 deaths in GA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 14.8% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Coweta County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Eric among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-WT
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Coweta County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.