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Michelle A. Lawless
Incident
Wildlife Officer Michelle Lawless was killed in an ATV accident in the Holeyland / Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area near the L-5 Canal and Palm Beach County line.
She was on patrol for poachers between 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm.
Her ATV struck a metal gate and overturned, trapping her underneath. After she failed to respond to a routine radio check for her location, another officer went to locate her and found her pinned beneath the vehicle. She was flown to a hospital in Delray where she succumbed to her injuries.
Officer Lawless had served with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for five years and was assigned to Broward County.
Survivors
She is survived by her parents, sister, and
FWC Class 46 pushed through with a positive attitude for today’s FWC Memorial Workout in honor of fallen Officer Michelle A.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Wildlife Officer Lawless gave the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 5 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Wildlife Officer Lawless.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has lost 7 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Michelle is one of 315 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.3% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Michelle is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Michelle 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 2007, 2 officers at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2007, 6 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 2007, 94 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2007, 103 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 17th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Michelle was 47. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 35; the middle age was 32. Michelle had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Michelle was 47. Of the 293 lost to accidents in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 35. Michelle had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Michelle was 47. 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. Michelle had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michelle was 47. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Michelle had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 60% of these deaths at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, more than any other month. Saturdays: 20%.
October holds 10.2% of these deaths in FL; February holds the most, 10.5%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
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 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation 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.
Her people
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has 7 officers remembered here, Michelle among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 57-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are honored on badge.nw.
