ThinBlueNews remembers Game Warden Pilot Joshua T. Tibbetts of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife - Warden Service, whose End of Watch was Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Warden Pilot Tibbetts was killed when his Maine Warden Service Cessna 185F aircraft crashed near Schoolhouse Pond in Avon shortly before 11:00 a.m. ODMP states that he was en route to assist Maine wildlife officials with fish-stocking work and was the only person aboard the aircraft.
In a weekly radio address, Maine Governor Janet Mills honored Warden Pilot Tibbetts as one of two Maine first responders who died in the line of duty that week. The governor's office described him as an 18-year member of the Maine Warden Service and said his plane crashed in Franklin County.
ODMP records that Warden Pilot Tibbetts served the Maine Warden Service for 18 years after nearly 12 years with the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office. ODMP also notes that he received the Warden Service's Exemplary Service Award in 2025 and lists his survivors as his two daughters, partner, stepdaughter, parents, sister, nephew, two nieces, and former spouse.
Those who serve from the air often do so quietly, far from public view, but their work protects people, wildlife, and communities across difficult terrain. Warden Pilot Tibbetts' service to Maine will not be forgotten.
Support the organization preserving official memorial records
ThinBlueNews creates original remembrance pages to honor law-enforcement sacrifice. ODMP is the nonprofit maintaining the national officer memorial record and providing support resources connected to fallen officers and their families.
Sources and attribution
- ODMP memorial page: Game Warden Pilot Joshua T. Tibbetts
- Office of Governor Janet T. Mills: Governor Mills Honors Fallen Maine Heroes in Weekly Radio Address
- ODMP donation page
Featured memorial image: ODMP profile photo of Game Warden Pilot Joshua T. Tibbetts with ThinBlueNews memorial overlay and source attribution.
If family, colleagues, or agency representatives see anything that should be corrected or updated, please contact ThinBlueNews through our corrections and editorial standards page.