U.S. Navy · United States 
Vernon Scott Averill
1986
Vernon Scott Averill served the U.S. Navy for 4 years. Vernon served in the Vietnam War and the Cold War.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Blunt force trauma
Mechanism
Blunt force
Assault
What Happened
Conservation Officer V. Scott Averill succumbed to complications of head injuries sustained on October 23rd, 1980, when he was attacked by a father and son.
Officer Averill had just issued the pairs citations for illegally spearing fish in Acme Creek, near M-72, at about 1:15 pm. As he turned away from the pair attacked him. The 16-year-old son held him down as the father beat him over the head with a .22 caliber hunting revolver. The two then stole Officer Averill's service pistol, glasses, and ticket book and fled the scene.
Despite suffering two skull fractures and a concussion, Officer Averill was able to crawl to his truck and then drive to M-72 where he called for help.
The father and son were arrested a short time later and charged with robbery and assault.
Officer Averill underwent surgery on the night of the incident to relieve pressure on his brain. He developed tumors in the immediate area of the skull fractures and died on February 1st, 1986.
Officer Averill was survived by his wife and two children.
Officer Averill had just issued the pairs citations for illegally spearing fish in Acme Creek, near M-72, at about 1:15 pm. As he turned away from the pair attacked him. The 16-year-old son held him down as the father beat him over the head with a .22 caliber hunting revolver. The two then stole Officer Averill's service pistol, glasses, and ticket book and fled the scene.
Despite suffering two skull fractures and a concussion, Officer Averill was able to crawl to his truck and then drive to M-72 where he called for help.
The father and son were arrested a short time later and charged with robbery and assault.
Officer Averill underwent surgery on the night of the incident to relieve pressure on his brain. He developed tumors in the immediate area of the skull fractures and died on February 1st, 1986.
Officer Averill was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Officer Averill was survived by his wife and two children.
Service Record
U.S. Navy
1966 – 1970
Conflicts
Vietnam War
Cold War
Also Served
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Conservation Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp73735e031dgn2dd6jq
Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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