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Incident
Chief Deputy James Cantrell and Special Deputy Sheriff Larry Mulkey were shot and killed during a traffic stop of a burglary suspect on US 19, south of Cumming. Chief Deputy Cantrell and Special Deputy Mulkey had stopped a vehicle he had seen the previous night, leaving a country club that had been discovered burglarized later in the day. During the traffic stop, the suspects were able to disarm Chief Deputy Cantrell. He was handcuffed before he and Reserve Deputy Mulkey were forced into the patrol car's trunk. Once in the trunk, the suspects fatally shot them both. Prior to approaching the vehicle, one of the deputies had written down the license plate number on a piece of paper. The evidence led to the arrest and conviction of the suspects. It was later determined that the suspects were prison escapees and had made a pact together to kill any officers who stopped them. Chief Deputy Cantrell was survived by his wife and two children. The stretch from Highway 9 to Ronald Reagan Boulevard was renamed “Deputy Bill Cantrell Memorial Road.” The portion from Highway 9 to Hutchinson Road was renamed “Larry Mulkey Memorial Road.”
Survivors
Chief Deputy Cantrell was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Chief Deputy Cantrell served with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Cumming community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Deputy Cantrell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1972, 6 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 37. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
James was 37. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
James was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 7.1% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Mondays: 12.6%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 19.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Forsyth County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
