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John M. Garlington
Incident
Captain John Garlington drowned while investigating a report of illegal gill net fishing near his home on the Mill Creek Reservoir in Bienville Parish.
He responded to the report at approximately 3:00 am, approximately 100 yards from his home. Other officers became concerned after not hearing back from him for several hours. They began a search of the area and located his body four days later, approximately 150 yards from his home.
Captain Garlington had served with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for 14 years.
Before beginning his career in law enforcement, Captain Garlington played professional football for the Cleveland Browns.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqjhevmj0ckxy94gn1ws- 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.
Captain Garlington gave the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Baton Rouge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Garlington.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has lost 11 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 180 officers lost to accidents in LA, 30.3% of the 595 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, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2000, 1 officer at Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2000, 5 officers in LA were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 94 years on record. The heaviest was 1999, with 8.
In 2000, 85 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2000, 91 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 53. Of the 7 lost to accidents at Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries whose age is recorded, half were between 35.5 and 48; the middle age was 37. John had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 14 years.
John was 53. Of the 148 lost to accidents in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
John was 53. 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 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 53. 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 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 14.3% of these deaths at Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; March holds the most, 28.6%. Thursdays: 14.3%.
February holds 10.6% of these deaths in LA; April holds the most, 11.1%. Thursdays: 13.9%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 63.6% of all 11 deaths at Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.3% of all 595 deaths in LA, 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
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has 11 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Robert J. Sellers, Sr.
Mar 13, 1923
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Frank E. Fagot, Jr. Nov 29, 1927
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Edward Morgan Apr 5, 1930
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Beuford Calvin Patterson
Oct 27, 1948
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Kenneth Dale Aycock
Jul 6, 1991
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Ricky Dodge
Jan 20, 1992
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Leon Henderson, Jr.
Mar 30, 1996
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John M. Garlington
Feb 10, 2000
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Jim Robyn Bennet Matkin
Mar 2, 2005
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Paul Berches Stuckey
Sep 30, 2011
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Immanuel James Washington
Jul 19, 2018
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are honored on badge.nw.
