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Thomas H. McDonald
Incident
Location: Michigan Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Shot and killed
Game Warden Thomas McDonald was shot and killed by a poacher in a wooded area of Benton County approximately six to eight miles north of Ashland.
He had encountered a man poaching squirrels when he was shot in the back. Despite his wounds, he was able to return fire and fatally shot the man. Their bodies were found approximately 300 yards apart later in the day by another hunter. The subject who shot him had previously been an inmate of the state insane asylum.
Game Warden McDonald had served as a state game warden for only 11 months and was assigned to Benton County.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Game Warden McDonald served with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden McDonald.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has lost 11 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1937, 1 officer at Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1937, 4 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1937, 123 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1937, 123 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 56. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 56; the middle age was 55.5. Thomas had served 0.9 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
Thomas was 56. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. Thomas had served 0.9 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Thomas was 56. 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. Thomas had served 0.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 56. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 0.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 33.3% of these deaths at Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, more than any other month. Saturdays: 33.3%.
September holds 10.7% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Saturdays: 18.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 54.5% of all 11 deaths at Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 16% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has 11 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Thomas H. McDonald
Sep 4, 1937
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Frank W. Stuart Sep 21, 1948
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Hi Eastland Johnson
Oct 17, 1952
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Ezra L. Brewer
Apr 4, 1959
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Willie A. Shingler
Nov 13, 1962
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Edward W. Sloan Jun 24, 1967
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Glenn Curtis Tullos Oct 11, 1971
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James Shirley Wood
Oct 21, 1984
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Hilton H. Shoemake
Dec 26, 1990
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Michael Anthony Andrews
Nov 11, 2002
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John Thomas Collum
May 9, 2014
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks are honored on badge.nw.
