Herman Wayne Putnal

Posted on August 23, 2023

Former Perry Police Chief Herman Wayne Putnal passed away Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, in Gainesville ending an eight-month battle with cancer.

He was born Oct. 24, 1946, in Day to H.D. “Mutt” and Lera Hart Putnal.

He was married to the former Doris McMillan.

Putnal graduated from Lafayette County High School in 1964 and held an AAS degree in criminal justice from North Florida Community College.

He served two tours with the U.S. Army in Vietnam before transferring to the U.S. Army Reserve, then serving until retiring as master sergeant (E7) in 1990.

He began his law enforcement career in 1970 as a dispatcher for the Florida Highway Patrol. He joined the Perry Police Department in 1972 and rose through the ranks to chief in 1985.

He retired in 2006.

Through those years he held many part-time, jobs including working at Florida Forest Service, Sportscraft, Winn-Dixie, Cottons Minit Marts, Faircloth Funeral Home, Hess service station and several others.

The chief was honored many times through the years for his service to the community by several local civic groups including the Perry Jaycees, Perry Elks and Perry Rotary.

He was a lifetime member of the Florida Police Chiefs’ Association and a charter member of the Third Judicial Circuit Police Chiefs Association.

A member of the Magnolia Church of Christ in Day, Putnal was predeceased by his parents; his adopted son, Michael Parker; and his brother, Spessard Putnal.

He is survived by: his wife, Doris; his daughter, Jamie (Jeff) Williams; granddaughter, Jessica Morgan (Brandon) Neri; grandson, Matthew Williams; his brother, Jack (Angela Scott) Putnal of Mayo; a sister, Melvelyn Putnal; his adopted daughter of the heart, Lavonne (Joe) Tharpe; a host of cousins, nephews and nieces; and a multitude of law enforcement brothers and sons.

A celebration of life at Burns Funeral Home Chapel began with visitation at 4 p.m. On Sunday, Aug. 20, followed by a memorial service at 5:30 p.m.

Chief Putnal was an avid supporter of the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches. Therefore, the family would wish donations in lieu of flowers be made to that organization in his memory.