Prev
Incident
Wildlife Officer Donald Thornbury drowned following an airboat accident while he was patrolling the Everglades in Broward County. His body was found two days later floating in a canal on the south side of Alligator Alley near the 46-mile marker, approximately 21 miles west of the Fort Lauderdale toll booth. The Miccosukee Tribal Police Department had only ten officers at the time of Wildlife Officer Thornbury's death. They had recently started a wildlife law enforcement program within the agency. Wildlife Officer Thornbury had served with the Miccosukee Tribal Police Department for 10 months. He had previously served as an auxiliary police officer with the Markleville, Indiana, Police Department for three years and with the Edgewood, Indiana, Police Department as an officer for four years.
Survivors
Wildlife Officer Thornbury was survived by his parents and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqe6m18a1398291xh977- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Donald. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Wildlife Officer Thornbury gave the Miccosukee Tribal Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Miami community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Wildlife Officer Thornbury.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Miccosukee Tribal Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Donald is one of 314 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.2% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Donald is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Donald is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1991, 4 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 22nd heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 1991, 52 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1991, 62 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Donald was 26. Of the 293 lost to accidents in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 35. Donald had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Donald was 26. 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. Donald had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 26. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Donald had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 9.9% of these deaths in FL; February holds the most, 10.5%. Mondays: 16.6%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Miccosukee Tribal Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.2% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Miccosukee Tribal Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Donald among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Miccosukee Tribal Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
