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Joel Lathem Harper
Incident
Wildlife Officer Sonny Harper drowned after falling from his boat near the dam in Lake Miccosukee.
He was approximately 40 feet from the Jefferson County shore when his motor stopped when some grass became stuck in the prop. He was leaning over the boat in an attempt to remove the grass when he fell overboard. The boat started to drift away and he attempted to swim to shore but he became distressed and went under.
Several boaters who witnessed the incident attempted to rescue him but were unable to locate him. His body was recovered in 8-12 feet of water approximately two hours later.
Officer Harper was a U.S. Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient of the Korean War. He had served with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission for 10 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, parents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Joel is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Wildlife Officer Harper served with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.
Thank you for your service to the Tallahassee community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joel Lathem Harper served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission has lost 15 officers; 10 of them lost to accidents.
Joel is one of 315 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.3% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Joel is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joel is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1962, 1 officer at Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1962, 3 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 37th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 1962, 69 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1962, 80 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 57th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joel was 30. Of the 9 lost to accidents at Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 32. Joel had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joel was 30. Of the 293 lost to accidents in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 35. Joel had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Joel was 30. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Joel had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joel was 30. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joel had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 30% of these deaths at Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, more than any other month. Sundays: 20%.
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in FL; February holds the most, 10.5%. Sundays: 13.3%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 15 deaths at Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.3% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission has 15 officers remembered here, Joel among them.
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Samuel S. Pinney
Mar 12, 1927
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Robert B. Bell
Sep 19, 1942
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George T. Sharp Dec 21, 1946
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James R. Fields
Dec 24, 1950
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Johnny Ingram Nov 25, 1951
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Noah Therman Smith
Nov 30, 1954
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Joel Lathem Harper Aug 12, 1962
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Marvin John Albritton
Aug 18, 1966
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James G. Thompson
Jun 25, 1968
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Leon Walker
Aug 13, 1970
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Harry Charles Chapin
Nov 5, 1972
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Jimmy Lee Cook
Dec 8, 1972
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Danese Byron Crowder
May 3, 1974
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Margaret E. Park
Dec 13, 1984
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Ray Lynn Barnes
Nov 21, 1987
Where
Military Service
Joel Lathem Harper served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Joel Lathem Harper’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-WT
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission are honored on badge.nw.
