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Thomas J. Mellon
Agency patch
Conservation Officer

Thomas J. Mellon

Michigan Department of Natural Resources — Lansing, MI
Accident
United States flag Michigan flag
End of Watch October 23, 1947
Age 46
The Vigil Panel 84 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 14

Incident

Conservation Officer Thomas Mellon drowned after his boat capsized on the Manistique River while he was en route to the scene of a forest fire. Conservation Officer Mellon and five others headed out to fight a fire raging along the Manistique River in Schoolcraft County when the boat hit a submerged deadhead as they crossed the river approximately one mile north of Lake Superior. As the boat struck the obstacle, it ripped open the bottom, stopping it immediately. The boat then started taking on water and began to sink, causing everyone to abandon the boat. Officer Mellon and Conrad Oberg, an impressed firefighter, who were unable to swim began struggling in the river's strong current. Mr. Conrad and Officer Mellon disappeared under the water. Their bodies were recovered later that night.

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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.
Conservation Officer Mellon 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 Mellon.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Type Federal Agency
Location Lansing, Ingham County, MI
Platform Identity mdnr.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 23, 1947
Age 46
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Thomas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1947, 53 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 88th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Thomas 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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Michigan Department of Natural Resources has 15 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Conservation Officer Thomas J. Mellon

Michigan Department of Natural Resources · End of Watch October 23, 1947

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-E

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