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Incident
Deputy Potts was killed in an automobile accident as he and a reserve deputy were responding to assist another officer on Georgia Highway 71. Their patrol car rolled several times when he swerved to avoid a pickup truck that had pulled out in front of them. Deputy Potts succumbed to his injuries the following day. The driver of the truck fled the scene of the accident but was arrested the following day. The man was sentenced to 5 years in prison and 14 years of probation. Deputy Potts had served with the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office for 9 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Potts gave the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dalton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Potts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Whitfield County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Durwin is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Durwin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Durwin 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 1996, 4 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1996, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1996, 79 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Durwin was 30. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Durwin had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Durwin was 30. 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. Durwin had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Durwin was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Durwin had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.6% of these deaths in GA, more than any other month. Saturdays: 20.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Whitfield County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, 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 automobile, in 5.3% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Whitfield County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Durwin among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Whitfield County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
