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Theron Adherbal Craw
Incident
Conservation Officer Theron Craw was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow conservation officer as they patrolled Acme Creek, near Grand Traverse Bay.
The other officer was shooting at an invasive species of duck that was eating fry that had just been stocked into the creek. Officer Craw was accidentally shot as he stood up just as the other officer fired at the ducks.
Officer Craw had served with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for 11 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnrj8sd0b6bdfs2wddh8- Stewardship
- 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.
Conservation Officer Craw gave the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lansing community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Conservation Officer Craw.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Michigan Department of Natural Resources has lost 15 officers; 10 of them lost to accidents.
Theron is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
Theron is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Theron 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 1928, 1 officer at Michigan Department of Natural Resources was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 2.
In 1928, 8 officers in MI were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1928, 103 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1928, 115 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Theron was 28. Of the 9 lost to accidents at Michigan Department of Natural Resources whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37. Theron had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Theron was 28. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34. Theron had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Theron was 28. 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. Theron had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Theron was 28. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Theron had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 20% of these deaths at Michigan Department of Natural Resources, more than any other month. Mondays: 10%.
November holds 8.5% of these deaths in MI; August holds the most, 14.3%. Mondays: 13.8%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 15 deaths at Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 703 deaths in MI, 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
Michigan Department of Natural Resources has 15 officers remembered here, Theron 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
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Michigan Department of Natural Resources are honored on badge.nw.
