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Preston Boyd Parnell
Incident
Location: Alabama Incident Date: Thursday, January 25, 2007
Postal Inspector Preston Parnell succumbed to injuries sustained in an automobile crash on Highway 43, near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on January 25th, 2007.
He was conducting an investigation into a major check fraud case stemming from Hurricane Katrina with a special agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation when they were involved in the crash. The driver of another vehicle became distracted by a ringing cell phone and crashed into a car, which was then pushed into the path of their vehicle.
Inspector Parnell suffered severe head trauma, a broken neck, and other injuries. He never fully recovered and passed away as a result of the injuries on July 26th, 2012.
Inspector Parnell had served with the United States Postal Service for 16 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, and his parents.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Postal Inspector Parnell gave the United States Postal Inspection Service 16 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Postal Inspector Parnell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
United States Postal Inspection Service has lost 14 officers; 8 of them lost to accidents.
Preston is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 remembered there.
Preston is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Preston is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2012, 1 officer at United States Postal Inspection Service was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2012, 4 officers in VA were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 2012, 51 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 94th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2012, 55 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 95th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Preston was 46. Of the 8 lost to accidents at United States Postal Inspection Service whose age is recorded, half were between 42.8 and 50; the middle age was 45. Preston had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 11.3 years.
Preston was 46. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. Preston had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Preston was 46. 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. Preston had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Preston was 46. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Preston had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 25% of these deaths at United States Postal Inspection Service; February holds the most, 25%. Thursdays: 12.5%.
July holds 10.8% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Thursdays: 13.8%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 57.1% of all 14 deaths at United States Postal Inspection Service, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.1% of all 653 deaths in VA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
United States Postal Inspection Service has 14 officers remembered here, Preston among them.
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Charles M. Davis
Jun 5, 1867
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Charles Fitzgerald Sep 23, 1908
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Elbert Perry Lamberth
Aug 16, 1917
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George Washington Daniel
Sep 1, 1919
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Levi C. Chance Feb 14, 1923
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Walter Richard Ton
Jan 10, 1938
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Finton T. McMahon
Aug 1, 1939
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Ernest M. Harkins
Jan 12, 1949
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Bruce Orrin Shaffer Aug 31, 1951
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John P. McAuliffe
Mar 14, 1960
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Benedetto M. Spizzirri
Mar 14, 1960
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Terrance M. Asbury
Feb 3, 1990
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Robert Francis Jones, Jr.
Jul 14, 2000
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Preston Boyd Parnell
Jul 26, 2012
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from United States Postal Inspection Service are honored on badge.nw.
