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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
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- August 2, 2026
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- 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cadwell Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1942, 4 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1942, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1942, 120 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 46. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 46. 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. Joseph had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 16.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Cadwell Police Department. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 1.3% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Cadwell Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cadwell Police Department are honored on badge.nw.