Cordele Police Investigating Felony Stop Incident; Officer Placed on Leave

On Monday, September 1, 2025, at about 2:40 p.m., Cordele Police Department (CPD) officers conducted a felony traffic stop in the 500 block of S. 14th Street.

Earlier in the afternoon, CPD received a call reporting that a man with multiple active felony warrants — known to carry a firearm — had been spotted near Joe Wright Drive and 16th Avenue. Officers responded quickly, but the suspect fled after initial contact.

Shortly after, police received information that the wanted man had entered a red Dodge Charger. Officers located a vehicle matching the description and initiated a felony traffic stop due to the suspect’s violent history. However, the individual was not inside the car. The driver, who had no connection to the suspect, was released from the scene.

During the course of the stop, officers also had a secondary interaction with a witness. Details of that interaction, along with the initial stop, are now under investigation.

In accordance with department policy, the officer involved in the stop has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Chief Jalon Heard released a statement following the incident, saying, “The Cordele Police Department is committed to professionalism and doing what is right. I assure the public that this incident will be thoroughly investigated.”

No further details have been released at this time.