Sanitation employee dies on first shift after falling from father's garbage truck

John Derrick Dover, 32, began his career with the Cherokee County Solid Waste Department on Monday, but his first shift ended fatally when he fell from the rear platform of a garbage truck. The vehicle, operated by Dover’s father, was making a turn in Gaffney at about 1:50 p.m. when Dover slipped and hit the concrete. He was rushed to Spartanburg Medical Center, where he was declared dead at 3:26 p.m. Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler described the incident as “most tragic,” emphasizing the added sorrow of the father-son connection. County officials posted a tribute on Facebook, calling the loss heartbreaking for the community and pledging to release verified information as it becomes available.