Woman killed in Whitfield County Fire
News September 23, 2020
ATLANTA – The Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced today that a
Whitfield County woman died in a fire on Sunday, September 20. The fire started in a front bedroom and
completely destroyed a residence in Dalton.
Around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday night, local authorities were contacted about the fire on Cavender Road, and they
asked for the assistance of Commissioner King’s State Fire Investigations Unit within 30 minutes.
“The Whitfield County Fire Department discovered the body of the deceased which has been sent to the GBI crime
lab for identification and autopsy,” said Commissioner King. “We are not releasing the identity of the deceased at
this time, but this fatality marks the 60th fire fatality in Georgia this year.”
Prior to the fire, the home on Cavender Road was around 1,000 square feet and about 60 years old. The cause of the
fire is undetermined.
State investigators, the Whitfield County Fire Department, the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Department, and the
Whitfield County Coroner’s Office are working together on this case.
Deputy to return to work after being shot
News, Police & Government September 14, 2020
Dalton Lee Potter
Whitfield County Deputy Darrell Hackney is expected to return to work this week after being shot multiple times by a fugitive on Monday, Sept. 7. Dalton Lee Potter, 29, remains in custody at the Whitfield County Jail.
Also injured was Eddie Cloer, who exchanged gunfire with Potter during a home invasion in Gordon County. Cloer treated at Erlanger Medical Center and is expected to recover. Potter was grazed in the head by a bullet. The wound is described as superficial and he was treated and released into custody of the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office.
Potter was arrested on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 10:30 p.m. in a swampy area near Bandy Lake in Resaca.
The man-hunt lasted three days with Tolbert Elementary School issuing a intent to close school on Thursday due to the search being close to their location on Hall Memorial Road. They were able to remain open for class since Potter was apprehended Wednesday night.
Jonathan Hosmer
In addition to the five counts of aggravated assault Potter was originally charged with in Whitfield County, he now also faces the following charges: in Whitfield County: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during a commission of a felony, felony obstruction, theft by receiving, possession of an explosive by a convicted felon; in Gordon County: three counts of aggravated assault, three counts of aggravated battery, two counts of burglary, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and felony obstruction. He also faces charges in Leakey, Real County, Texas for larceny and theft of over $2,500.
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Jonathan Hosmer is also wanted in Leakey, Texas for larceny and theft of over $2,500. Hosmer was arrested and charged in Georgia with possession of methamphetamine, bringing stolen property into the state, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Whitfield County man charged with insurance fraud and forgery
News July 17, 2020
ATLANTA – On July 15, Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King’s Criminal Investigations Division took out warrants on Joseph Nathaniel Harry, 25, of Rocky Face, for four counts of Insurance Fraud and
two counts of Forgery in the 1st Degree.
In the first case, Harry allegedly submitted multiple fraudulent property damage and theft insurance claims with the
intent of gaining an insurance payout. During the claims process, Harry provided forged documents, eventually
receiving over $17,000 in fraudulent claim payouts.
In the second case, Harry allegedly submitted a false claim for Pet Insurance, again providing forged documents.
Insurance fraud is a felony punishable by imprisonment for two to 10 years, or by a fine of up to $10,000.00, or
both. To report suspected insurance fraud, contact the Georgia Department of Insurance at 800-656-2298. Callers
can choose to remain anonymous.
The mission of the Office of the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner is to protect Georgia families
by providing access to vital insurance products and safe buildings through fair regulation
that creates economic opportunities for all Georgians.
In other news, earlier this week a multistate high-speed chase went through Whitfield.