A Cook County Sheriff’s Office captain died on Monday of a heart attack while breaking up a high school fight, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).
Capt. Terry Arnold, also known as “Turtle”, suffered a heart attack while breaking up the two-person fight at Cook County High School.
After Arnold and a school employee restrained one of the students from the fight, Arnold suddenly collapsed, the sheriff’s office said. Medical personnel at the school gave him first aid until first responders arrived and took him to South Georgia Medical Center. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
Arnold was a 26-year veteran of the CCSO. His most recent position was as the supervisor and director of the School Resource Officers Division for the sheriff’s office and the Cook County School System. He had previously served in the Adel Police Department and the Remerton Police Department.
Tuesday, Oct. 4, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement:
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.Captain Arnold, affectionally known all over the world as “turtle”, suffered an apparent fatal heart attack after dispersing a fight between two students that occurred at Cook County High School.
Captain Arnold, with the assistance of school administration, had taken a juvenile involved in the fight into custody and was exiting the main entrance of the school when he collapsed. School medical personnel and responding backup immediately rendered aid until the arrival of emergency medical services. Captain Arnold was transported to South Georgia Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.
Captain Arnold, well renowned in law enforcement circles in Cook County and the State of Georgia, had just completed his 26th year at the Sheriff’s Office where he had served in every facet of the office including his current assignment as supervisor and director of the School Resource Officers Division for the Sheriff’s Office and the Cook County School System. He had previously served the City of Adel and City of Remerton Police Departments.
Captain Arnold loved and was loved by Cook County and the entire South Georgia community. He also loved to cook and his skills on the grill were as famous as he was. He was an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, Atlanta Braves, and above all the Cook County Hornets.
Captain Arnold is survived by his son, four daughters, and ten grandchildren as well as countless friends, family, coworkers, and colleagues.
He is the first recorded line of duty death in the history of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.
At this time arrangements have not been made but will be announced soon.
