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John David Stimson
Incident
Sergeant John Stimson succumbed to hypothermia following a helicopter crash while searching for a missing pilot near Cordova, Alaska. The helicopter he was riding in experienced an engine failure and crashed. The contract pilot suffered a broken back in the crash. Sergeant Stimson was unable to access any of the emergency equipment due to damage to the helicopter. He died after a night of exposure to cold temperatures after making the injured pilot as comfortable as possible. The injured pilot survived. Sergeant Stimson had served with the Alaska State Troopers - Fish and Wildlife Protection for just over 11 years.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Sergeant Stimson gave the Alaska State Troopers 11 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Stimson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Alaska State Troopers - Fish and Wildlife Protection has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 14 officers lost to accidents in AK, 28% of the 50 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1983, 1 officer in AK was lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1964, with 3.
In 1983, 74 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1983, 92 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 34th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 41. Of the 14 lost to accidents in AK whose age is recorded, half were between 28.3 and 46.3; the middle age was 37. John had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
John was 41. 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. John had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 41. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.1% of these deaths in AK; October holds the most, 28.6%. Fridays: 7.1%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Alaska State Troopers - Fish and Wildlife Protection, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28% of all 50 deaths in AK, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Alaska State Troopers - Fish and Wildlife Protection has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Alaska State Troopers - Fish and Wildlife Protection are honored on badge.nw.
