Sheriff's Office investigating Murder

The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Murphy, NC— On September 7th, 2018 a Union County Georgia Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) Deputy attempted to stop a vehicle just over the North Carolina/Georgia state line off Highway 129 in Union County, Georgia. The driver of the vehicle fled on foot from the stop and was not apprehended. UCSO requested a Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Deputy to go a Carson Lane address, in the Martins Creek Community of Cherokee County to do a welfare check on the registered owner of the vehicle and assist in furthering their investigation.

Cherokee County deputies arrived at the Carson Lane address and found the victim, 77-year-old Jerry Dalrymple unresponsive and in immediate need of medical attention. Cherokee County EMS arrived on scene and Mr. Dalrymple was airlifted to a Chattanooga Tennessee hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

Through further investigation, 19-year-old Isaiah Beavers, of the Martins Creek community of Cherokee County was developed as a suspect and warrants were obtained for the Murder of Jerry Dalrymple.

​On or about September 08th, 2018 Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Union County Sheriff’s Office Deputies took Beavers into custody at a residence in the Nottely Dam community of Union County, Georgia. Beavers is currently held in the Towns/Union County jail awaiting extradition back to Cherokee County. There are additional persons of interest and additional arrests are anticipated.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated, “We continue our investigation in this very grave crime. We are diligently searching for the additional suspects we have identified. My Office extends thanks to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Probation and Parole, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation all which were extremely helpful in this investigation. We continue to ask for prayers for all concerned.”

​To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.