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Incident
Lieutenant Dennis Witherington suffered a fatal heart attack at the scene of a fire. Lieutenant Witherington had served with the agency for 27 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three 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
27 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Witherington gave the Chatham County Police Department 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Savannah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Witherington.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Chatham County Police Department has lost 11 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Dennis is one of 23 officers lost to cardiac events in GA, 2.5% of the 905 remembered there.
Dennis is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dennis is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1969, 2 officers in GA were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1969, 22 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1969, 22 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Dennis was 55. Of the 23 lost to cardiac events in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 46.5 and 56; the middle age was 53. Dennis had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Dennis was 55. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Dennis had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Dennis was 55. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Dennis had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
August holds 17.4% of these deaths in GA, more than any other month. Sundays: 13%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
August holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 9.1% of all 11 deaths at Chatham County Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 2.5% of all 905 deaths in GA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Chatham County Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Dennis 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 37-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.
