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Incident
Sergeant Thomas Collins was killed in an aircraft accident when the helicopter he was piloting crashed into the Santa Clara River bed after striking high-tension power lines near the Olivas Park Golf Course. Sergeant Collins had served with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office for four years and had previously served with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Collins served with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Ventura community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Collins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ventura County Sheriff's Office has lost 13 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Thomas is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1975, 8 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1975, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1975, 73 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Thomas was 35. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35.
Thomas was 35. 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.
Thomas was 35. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
October holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 13.1%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 23.1% of all 13 deaths at Ventura County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, 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
Ventura County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Edmund Guy McMartin
Aug 20, 1921
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Bryce N. Patten
Aug 19, 1960
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Earl Mendenhall
Jul 15, 1961
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Donald L. Gregory
Sep 9, 1961
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Chester Lewis Larson
Jan 20, 1969
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Donald E. Haynie
Jun 5, 1970
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Harvey A. Varat
Oct 20, 1973
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Thomas Kenneth Collins
Oct 25, 1975
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Peter John Aguirre, Jr.
Jul 17, 1996
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Lisa Dianne Whitney
Aug 12, 1998
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Robert Daniel Bornet
Nov 6, 2006
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Yevhen Kostiuchenko
Oct 28, 2014
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Ronald Lee Helus
Nov 8, 2018
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Ventura County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
