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Vernon Scott Averill
Incident
Conservation Officer V. Scott Averill succumbed to complications of head injuries sustained on October 23rd, 1980, when he was attacked by a father and son.
Officer Averill had just issued the pairs citations for illegally spearing fish in Acme Creek, near M-72, at about 1:15 pm. As he turned away from the pair attacked him. The 16-year-old son held him down as the father beat him over the head with a .22 caliber hunting revolver. The two then stole Officer Averill's service pistol, glasses, and ticket book and fled the scene.
Despite suffering two skull fractures and a concussion, Officer Averill was able to crawl to his truck and then drive to M-72 where he called for help.
The father and son were arrested a short time later and charged with robbery and assault.
Officer Averill underwent surgery on the night of the incident to relieve pressure on his brain. He developed tumors in the immediate area of the skull fractures and died on February 1st, 1986.
Officer Averill was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Officer Averill was survived by his wife and two children.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Vernon is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Conservation Officer Averill served with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Thank you for your service to the Lansing community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Conservation Officer Averill.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Vernon Scott Averill served in the U.S. Navy (1966â1970) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Michigan Department of Natural Resources has lost 15 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Vernon is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Vernon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Vernon 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 1986, 1 officer at Michigan Department of Natural Resources was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 2.
In 1986, 8 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1986, 98 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1986, 112 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Vernon was 39. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Michigan Department of Natural Resources whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 45; the middle age was 39.
Vernon was 39. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35.
Vernon was 39. 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.
Vernon was 39. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 20% of these deaths at Michigan Department of Natural Resources; September holds the most, 60%. Saturdays: 20%.
February holds 6% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 15 deaths at Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 0.5% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
Michigan Department of Natural Resources has 15 officers remembered here, Vernon among them.
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Julius A. Salmonson
Nov 15, 1908
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Patrick Thomas Waters May 29, 1923
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Arvid Erickson
Sep 29, 1926
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Emil Skoglund
Sep 29, 1926
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Theron Adherbal Craw
Nov 5, 1928
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Elgin C. McDonough
Dec 21, 1932
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Karl S. Zimmerman
Dec 21, 1932
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Andrew Schmeltz
Oct 21, 1936
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Maurice C. Luck
Mar 16, 1938
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Carlyle B. Smith
May 11, 1943
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Thomas J. Mellon
Oct 23, 1947
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Edward Carl Starback
Aug 8, 1957
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Gerald F. Welling
Sep 10, 1972
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Vernon Scott Averill
Feb 1, 1986
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Arthur Adolph Green, III
Aug 9, 2015
Where
Military Service
Vernon Scott Averill served in the U.S. Navy (1966–1970) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Vernon Scott Averill’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Michigan Department of Natural Resources are honored on badge.nw.
