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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
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Walton County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles 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 1962, 5 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1962, 67 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 107th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1962, 67 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 116th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 51. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 51. 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. Charles had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Mondays: 12.6%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Walton County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 shotgun, in 8.6% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Walton County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Walton County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
