End of Watch:
July 30, 1994
Age: 52
Utah Highway Patrol
Accidental: Aircraft
Sergeant Doyle R. Thorne lost his life in the crash of a helicopter during a search and rescue operation.
Sergeant Thorne was the sole occupant of a UHP helicopter dispatched to search for a small child lost near Indian Canyon, Duchesne County. When the search concluded with the safe discovery of the child, Sgt. Thorne began his return to base in Salt Lake County. Near Strawberry Peak in Wasatch County, he radioed that he was experiencing mechanical trouble. He was not heard from again. Three days later, searchers located the wreckage and the body of Sgt. Thorne. A 24-year veteran of the Utah Highway Patrol, Sergeant Thorne was married and had four children. He is buried in Brigham City Cemetery.
The bronze memorial name plaque of Sergeant Doyle R. Thorne is sponsored by the Utah Highway Patrol Association.