SPD fallen officer Corporal Doug Herron laid to rest

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Family, friends, and community leaders gathered in Savannah morning to honor the life of Corporal Doug Herron.

Herron died after a medical emergency while on an off-duty assignment last Friday.

His funeral service was at Calvary Baptist Temple and it came with a special announcement as well.

“I now promote Corporal Doug Twin Herron to the rank of Sergeant.”

An emotional Saturday morning as those who knew and worked with now Sergeant Herron honored his life.

“You don’t become a police officer for fame and fortune. You don’t do it to make a name for yourself. You do it because you want to serve others. That’s what Doug did.”

Herron dedicated 35 years to the Savannah Police Department a city that he’s always called home.

“What an officer he was. He was from a cadre of young men in this community, some 30 some odd years ago, young men who were raised from this community,” Mayor Van Johnson said.

Savannah Police Chief Lenny Gunther says Herron leaves behind a legacy here in the Hostess City.

“He was a great man, a great man. The footprint he’s left in our community will forever last,” Chief Lenny Gunther said.

Herron’s brother, who is also an officer in the Savannah Police Department says he had a lot of life in his years.

“Even though he has passed and gone, he lived a full life. We have to take advantage of every day that we have. And even though his was cut short, he wasn’t lacking for anything,” Maj. Ben Herron said.

Following this morning’s service Savannah Police led a procession through from Calvary Baptist Temple to Fox and Weeks funeral home a farewell to one of Savannah’s public servants.

Herron’s official end of watch was August 11.