Community Corner
5 First Responders Who Left A Lasting Legacy In Canton-Sixes
The service and commitment of these remarkable individuals continue to inspire today's firefighters, police officers and EMTs.
Canton-Sixes is fortunate to have dedicated first responders — police officers, firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, and search and rescue teams —who work tirelessly to protect and serve our community. Their commitment carries forward the legacy of those who paved the way, demonstrating courage and dedication every day.
In partnership with T-Mobile, Patch is honoring the first responders who came before them—individuals whose impact continues to shape Canton-Sixes. Today, we’re highlighting five remarkable figures who left a lasting mark on our community.
1. Chief Stephen Merrifield (Canton Police Department)
Chief Stephen Merrifield retired from the Canton Police Department in 2023, closing out a 39-year career dedicated to public service and public safety. A U.S. Army veteran and longtime Cobb County Police Major, Merrifield joined Canton as Deputy Chief in 2015 and was appointed Chief in 2020, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic. During his tenure, he launched new outreach programs like the Multicultural Festival and Kickball with a Cop and secured critical resources and training to support his officers. Colleagues and city leaders praised Merrifield for guiding the department through challenging times with steady leadership, integrity and a deep commitment to building trust with the community.
2. Sgt. Dwayne Barbee (Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services)
In March 2025, Sgt. Dwayne Barbee retired after 19 years of dedicated service with Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services, He was honored with a retirement breakfast at Fire Station 24, where he received a commemorative helmet plaque as a lasting tribute to his career. Barbee was recognized by Deputy Chief Kevin Lanier, who praised him as “a dedicated member of our department” whose “leadership and expertise will be greatly missed.” Barbee’s farewell concluded with a meaningful final ride home aboard MedCon 1, the medical control unit where he spent the latter part of his career.
3. Bailiff Charlie Loggins (Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office)
More than a century after his death, Bailiff Charles “Charlie” Loggins was posthumously honored by the Rotary Club of Canton for his service and sacrifice in the line of duty. In May 1921, during Georgia’s prohibition era, Loggins was shot and killed while transporting a suspect arrested for hauling illegal whiskey near the Franklin Gold Mine outside Canton. At a June 2024 ceremony at Canton Rotary Park, his name was formally added to the Public Safety Memorial bearing the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.” Cherokee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds presented a certificate and medal of honor to Loggins’s descendants before unveiling the updated memorial. The monument now honors Loggins alongside other fallen officers who gave their lives serving Cherokee County.
4. Lt. Paul Faulkner (Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services)
Lieutenant Paul Faulkner retired in February 2024 after 19 years of service with Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services, concluding his final shift at Station 16 in downtown Canton. He began his career with CCFES in 2005 following earlier volunteer service as a fire explorer. At a retirement breakfast held in his honor, Faulkner was joined by friends, family and fellow firefighters, and was presented with a speaking trumpet by Fire Chief Eddie Robinson—a traditional symbol of leadership in the fire service. Colleagues expressed gratitude for his years of dedication to both the department and the citizens of Cherokee County.
5. Sgt. Douglas Clark Waters, Jr. (Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services)
Sgt. Douglas Clark Waters, Jr. was a highly respected firefighter, EMT and U.S. Marine Corps veteran whose leadership and expertise left a lasting impact on the community. Before his passing in 2023, Waters served as a member of the Cherokee County Rescue Dive Team and was a senior structural fire instructor with the Georgia Fire Academy. He also played an essential role in training and standards, serving as an evaluator for both the Georgia Firefighters Standards and Training Council and the National Professional Board of Qualifications. In recognition of his service, Waters was added to the Georgia Public Safety Memorial Wall in Forsyth.
Know a first responder — past or present — who’s making a difference in PATCHTOWN? We’d love to hear about them! Click here to nominate them to be featured on Patch.
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