In Memory of Corporal Timothy Michael Tanksley

Georgia officials were saddened to announce the loss of a local police officer to COVID19. On Friday, October 8, 2021, Corporal Timothy Michael Tanksley, badge number 905, died due to complications with contracting the coronavirus. Corporal Timothy Tanksley was 40 years old.

Corporal Tanksley had served his community as a law enforcement officer for over nineteen years. Most recently, he had worked as a member of the Alto Police Department. He had been with this department for the past two years. Before working with the APD, Tanksley had served with the Dillard Police Department.

The US has lost hundreds of officers to the coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, law enforcement is one of the occupations that come with increased risk for contracting the virus. Officers come into contact with many people throughout their workday and often are unable to practice social distancing. Despite the threat to their own lives and the lives of their family members, officers across the country continued to do their work to keep the public safe. More than 220 officers have died due to the virus since January.

Tanksley was a family man, a father of two children. His number one love was his children, which he would share details about with his fellow officers. He also worked on many volunteer activities and was a member of the local Masonic lodge.

Alto Police Department, Georgia

Alto is a small community of approximately 1200 Georgia residents. The town is unique in that it sits on the border of two counties, both Banks and Habersham County. The Alto police department is a small agency that provides the primary law enforcement services that residents in Alto need for safety. Small police departments, such as the one in Alto, often work hard to bring officers into the fold of their agency, and to lose any officer can be complete devastation to the force.

Area agencies, such as the Banks County Sheriff’s Office and the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, have volunteered to assist the small department as they grieve for their friend and fellow officer.

Remembrances

Corporal Timothy Michael Tanksley leaves behind his son. Unfortunately, his son joins more than 130,000 American children who have lost one or both parents or a primary caregiver to the coronavirus. The community, extended family members, and charitable organizations will need to create a long-term plan to address the needs of these children. Honor guard volunteers from many local agencies will come together to help the residents of Alto and the Tanksley family share their gratitude for the sacrifice made by Corporal Tanksley.

Michael Palmer shared info on his Facebook account on the service of giving a new vest to Tanksley. “In November of 2020, the Ga State Lodge FOP presented Alto Police Department with new ballistic vests per the “Protect the Protectors” program. Police Officer Timothy Michael Tanksley received a new vest that day from me as the President and State Trustee of the North Georgia Mountains Lodge #112. Sadly, he selflessly answered the last call for his community which he served on Friday, October 8, 2021. His untimely passing is the result of complications from COVID-19, and his passing is considered as a LODD. Mike, your duty and dedication towards law enforcement and the agencies for which you have served is above reproach. May you R.I.P., my brother, for many here, will hold the thin blue line!”

Retired officer Beverly Gross shared the loss on her social media. “Alto PD, Georgia lost a good officer. Corporal Michael Tanksley to contracting COVID19 in the line of duty. The 40-year-old left a son. Pray for him and his family. May his soul rest in peace. Blue lives matter.”