Retired EPD officer loses battle with cancer

  • Eatonton Police officer Willie Brinkley Jr. holds two plaques he received – the MAC’s Employee of the Year award and he Eatonton Police Department Employee of the Year award – at a Mothers Against Crime annual holiday awards banquet in 2015. He is flanked by his brother, Leon Brinkley, a retired Georgia State University police officer, and his son, Willie Brinkley III, an Athens-Clarke County police officer. Behind them is then-Eatonton Police Chief Kent Lawrence. FILE PHOTO
    Eatonton Police officer Willie Brinkley Jr. holds two plaques he received – the MAC’s Employee of the Year award and he Eatonton Police Department Employee of the Year award – at a Mothers Against Crime annual holiday awards banquet in 2015. He is flanked by his brother, Leon Brinkley, a retired Georgia State University police officer, and his son, Willie Brinkley III, an Athens-Clarke County police officer. Behind them is then-Eatonton Police Chief Kent Lawrence. FILE PHOTO

    Eatonton Police Department and many in the community are mourning the loss of a long-time officer who lost his battle with cancer. Willie D. Brinkley, 74, died on April 30, according to Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell.

    “Willie was a faithful employee who, even after his retirement, would come help with any activity we had,” Cardwell said. “He loved being a police officer; he loved Eatonton Police Department, and we loved him.”

    Brinkley, a Madison resident, began working with Eatonton Police Departmen in May 1988 and retired Oct. 31, 2016, Cardwell said. Even though Brinkley was 69 at the time, he did not want to retire bu a duty-related injury forced him to.

    In November 2015, Brinkley was at Putnam General Hospital Emergency Department where a patient had been kicking people and screaming. When Brinkley stood between the combative patient and the medical staff, the patient punched Brinkley in the face and the blow knocked the officer’s left eye loose. He underwent emergency surgery in Macon followed by daily treatments but ended up losing the use of his eye and the ability to work.

    “He loved serving this community and put in over 28 years of faithful service,” Cardwell noted.

    Brinkley’s love of service seemed to be a family affair. He and his wife, Catherlean, have a son, Willie Brinkley III, who followed in his father’s footsteps at the Athens-Clarke County Police Department. They also have two daughters and grandchildren. Brinkley’s brother also worked in law enforcement at Georgia State University.

    Before his retirement, Brinkley was honored and presented with the Eatonton Police Department Employee of the Year award, the Mothers Against Crime Public Safety Employee of the Year award and also was recognized by the Rising Star Masonic Lodge No. 4 for his service at its annual dinner.

    Arrangements are being handled by Bernard’s Family Funeral Care. According to the obituary, a public visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, May 6, at Bernard’s Madison Chapel, 1086 Ward Road, Madison. A celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m. the next day, Saturday, May 7, in the gymnasium of the former Pearl Middle School, 920 Pearl St., Madison. Following the celebration of life service, interment will take place in Madison Memorial Gardens Cemetery.