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Incident
Ranger Asa Thornton succumbed to injuries sustained three weeks earlier when his department vehicle was struck by a drunk driver at the intersection of Lamar Mounds Road and Highway 129 in Bibb County.
Ranger Thornton had served with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for 28 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and one child.
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
28 years. You could have gone home.
Ranger Thornton gave the Georgia Department of Natural Resources 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Social Circle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Ranger Thornton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Georgia Department of Natural Resources has lost 10 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Asa is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Asa is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Asa is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% 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 Georgia Department of Natural Resources was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 2.
In 1962, 5 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1962, 67 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 107th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1962, 67 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 116th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Asa was 68. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Georgia Department of Natural Resources whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 54.5; the middle age was 49. Asa had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 27.5 years.
Asa was 68. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Asa had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Asa was 68. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Asa had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Asa was 68. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Asa had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 14.3% of these deaths at Georgia Department of Natural Resources; August holds the most, 28.6%. Saturdays: 28.6%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 20.6%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 10 deaths at Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 1.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 0.9% of these deaths.
His people
Georgia Department of Natural Resources has 10 officers remembered here, Asa among them.
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James Hiram Waller
Aug 20, 1927
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Robert Clayton Sizemore Nov 9, 1928
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James Edward Morton Dec 13, 1928
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Lonnie F. Boggus Aug 21, 1930
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Asa Edwin Thornton
May 19, 1962
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William Earl Hobbs
Jul 21, 1967
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Charles Callaway Mercer, Jr.
Nov 29, 1968
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William Lee Bryant
Dec 23, 1970
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Rocky Daren Wainwright
Aug 19, 1999
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Stanley Curtis Elrod
Sep 3, 2020
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Georgia Department of Natural Resources are honored on badge.nw.
