-
 Sgt.
Doyle R. Thorne- Utah HIghway Patrol
- Date of death: July 30, 1994
- Cause: Helicopter crash
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- Courtesy ODMP
Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Doyle R. Thorne, 52, died July 30,
1994, while piloting a Department of Public Safety helicopter during a
search for a missing girl in Duschene County. Thorne, who was alone in
the helicopter, was returning to Salt Lake City when the helicopter suffered
an engine failure near Strawberry Peak. Searchers found Thorne's body in
the wreckage three days later.
A tribute to a Trooper, by David Westley:
Doyle Thorne, of the Utah Highway Patrol, was one
of the finest gentlemen I ever knew. It was no surprise that he gave his
life in the service of others. It was, however, a tremendous shock to lose
such a good friend.
I will never forget the day we met. He came into
the welding shop at Salt Lake Community College and asked if we did welding
for other state agencies. I told him that we did on occasion and asked
him what he had in mind. He showed me the plans for a hydraulic cart used
to raise and move their first helicopter in and out of the hanger and asked
me what it would cost. I told him the cost would be ìa ride!î It took several
evenings, Doyle worked right along side of me, we finished the cart and
it worked.
For my first ride we flew over the campus to get
aerial pictures of the new buildings. Next we flew over Park Lane Elementary
School in Sandy and took pictures of the children spelling Park Lane in
the Snow.
When they got their new helicopters, we built a
new system for moving them in and out of the hanger. We also built a modification
for landing and transporting a helicopter on their motorcycle trailer and
a 300 gallon fuel tank for the UHP air service truck.
For payment he helped me with my hobby as armature
historian with the Utah Westerners. Doyle arranged for six of us to be
shuttled to and from Fremont Island so we could make a latex mould of a
cross that Kit Carson carved when he and Fremont paddled out to the island
in inflatable rubber boats in 1843.
The last flight we took was across the great Salt
Lake Desert where I took 46 minutes of video of the Donner Trail.
Whenever I see or hear a helicopter, I am reminded
of my friend. And whenever I hear a siren or see the 12 foot crosses along
side the highway, I am reminded of all the dedicated law enforcement officers
who unselfishly put themselves in harms way to ensure my safety.
Editorís note: Mr. Westley personally built the cross
in memory of Doyle Thorne, which was placed and dedicated on May 14, 1999
at Current Creek.
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- This page, along with the State Memorial at Utah's Capitol, is maintained by the Utah Peace Officers Association in behalf of Utah's Fallen Officers - may we never forget their ultimate sacrifice
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