Holly MatkinAdel, GA – Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Captain Terry “Turtle” Arnold died in the line of duty on Monday after he broke up a fight between two high school students, triggering a heart attack.
The medical emergency occurred after the 59-year-old captain intervened in a fight between two Cook County High School students on Oct. 4, the Cook County Fire Department (CCFD) and Emergency Management Agency (EMA) said in a press release later that afternoon.
Capt. Arnold took one juvenile into custody with the help of school administrators and was exiting the main entrance of the building when he suddenly collapsed.
Medical personnel from the school and arriving backup officers immediately rendered aid until emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene.
Capt. Arnold was rushed to South Georgia Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a short while later.
The CCFD and MEA said he “suffered an apparent fatal heart attack.”
Capt. Arnold served the CCSO for 26 years.
“It is with profound sadness and tremendous grief that Sheriff Doug Hanks and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office announces the passing of Captain Terry Arnold, badge# Cook 50,” the press release read. “Captain Arnold loved and was loved by Cook County and the entire South Georgia community.”
The longtime lawman served in every facet of the CCSO during his years of service, and was working as the director and supervisor of the School Resource Officers Division for the CCSO and the Cook County School System at the time of his death.
He also served the Remerton Police Department and the Adel Police Department prior to joining the sheriff’s office.
He devoted 35 years of his life to his law enforcement career, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
Capt. Arnold’s tragic passing marked the first line-of-duty death in the history of the CCSO, the sheriff’s office said.
He leaves behind his son, four daughters, and 10 grandchildren, according to his department.
Capt. Arnold is also survived by countless friends, family members, coworkers, and colleagues.
🔹 Blessed Are The Peacemakers 🔹
Captain Terry R. Arnold
Cook County Sheriff's Office, Georgia
EOW: Monday, October 3, 2022#EnoughIsEnough #OfficerDown #EOW #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/vWG5ovaacV
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) October 5, 2022
RIP. Georgia Captain Terry R. Arnold suffered a fatal heart attack after responding to a fight between two juveniles at a high school. He is survived by his five children and ten grandchildren. #rip #hero #eow #CaptainTerryArnold #CookCountySheriffsOffice #bluelivesmatter pic.twitter.com/hRhYUgWvAV
— Protecting the Blue (@protectingblue) October 4, 2022
GBI employees line up outside of HQ to view the police escort for fallen Cook Co Sheriff’s Office Captain Terry Arnold leaving GBI HQ today.
Thank you Captain Arnold for dedicating your life to service. We will keep your family, both blood & blue, in our prayers. ⚫️🔵⚫️ #LODD pic.twitter.com/hMTWyBmwRV
— GA Bureau of Investigation (@GBI_GA) October 5, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Cook County Sheriff’s Office Captain Terry “Turtle” Arnold, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
