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Incident
Officer McCumber was struck and killed by a vehicle while directing traffic at the intersection of Quacco Road and U.S. 17. She had let a vehicle pulling a trailer turn onto U.S. 17 and a driver approaching on U.S. 17 had his view temporarily blocked by the trailer. As he passed the trailer he struck Officer McCumber. She was transported to a local hospital where she died two hours later. Officer McCumber had served with the Chatham County Police Department for 13 years and had been awarded Chatham County Officer of the Year in 1980.
Survivors
She was survived by her daughters and two granddaughters.
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.
Officer McCumber gave the Chatham County Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Savannah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer McCumber.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Chatham County Police Department has lost 11 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Doreen is one of 264 officers lost to accidents in GA, 29.2% of the 905 remembered there.
Doreen is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Doreen is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1988, 1 officer at Chatham County Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 2.
In 1988, 5 officers in GA were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 8.
In 1988, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1988, 84 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Doreen was 47. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Chatham County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 56; the middle age was 47. Doreen had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 13 years.
Doreen was 47. Of the 251 lost to accidents in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Doreen had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Doreen was 47. 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. Doreen had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Doreen was 47. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Doreen had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 40% of these deaths at Chatham County Police Department; October holds the most, 40%. Fridays: 20%.
November holds 9.5% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 12.5%. Fridays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 45.5% of all 11 deaths at Chatham County Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 905 deaths in GA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Her people
Chatham County Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Doreen among them.
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William R. Mitchell
Sep 7, 1918
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William Frank Godbold
Mar 28, 1929
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Perry L. Anderson
Oct 27, 1934
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William S. Winn, Jr.
Nov 1, 1934
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John J. O'Riley
Oct 21, 1939
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William M. Sheppard
Jun 9, 1951
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Harry H. Akins
Nov 21, 1962
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Dennis Witherington
Aug 24, 1969
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Daniel Alexander Hodgson
Mar 20, 1976
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Frank A. Kania, Sr.
May 24, 1979
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Doreen E. McCumber
Nov 4, 1988
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Chatham County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
