Maine State Police Announce Honorable Transfer for Warden Pilot Joshua Tibbetts

A solemn procession will take place Wednesday morning in Maine to honor the memory of Joshua Tibbetts, a 50-year-old pilot for the Maine Warden Service who died in a plane crash near Avon on Tuesday, May 13, 2026. According to Maine State Police, Tibbetts’ body will be transferred from Augusta’s Hospital Street to Main Street in Newport, with a motorcade expected to create delays on Interstate 95 between the two locations.

The procession, described as an “honorable transfer,” will include emergency vehicles and is intended to pay tribute to Tibbetts’ service. State Police have urged the public to avoid stopping along I-95 to render honors due to safety concerns. Tibbetts’ plane crashed late Tuesday near Schoolhouse Pond in Avon, and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

Joshua Tibbetts served as a pilot in the Maine Warden Service, an agency responsible for enforcing wildlife conservation laws, managing state forests, and supporting law enforcement operations across Maine’s vast and often remote terrain. His death marks a loss for the agency, which relies on aerial patrols to monitor poaching, illegal fishing, and environmental violations.

The Maine Warden Service operates under the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, a state agency tasked with protecting the state’s natural resources. Wardens and their pilots frequently traverse Maine’s rugged landscape, which includes dense forests, coastal regions, and the Appalachian Trail. The agency’s work is critical in a state where outdoor recreation and wildlife management are key economic and cultural pillars.

Tibbetts’ death follows a long tradition of public service in Maine, where law enforcement and conservation efforts are deeply intertwined with the state’s identity. Maine’s motto, “Dirigo” (Latin for “I lead”), reflects a culture of leadership and resilience, qualities embodied by Tibbetts’ dedication to protecting the state’s natural heritage.

As of Wednesday, May 13, no further details about the crash have been released by authorities. The Maine State Police have not provided a cause for the accident, and the investigation is expected to continue in the coming days. A memorial service for Tibbetts has not yet been announced, though local media outlets are expected to provide updates as they become available.

For those wishing to honor Tibbetts’ memory, Maine State Police have advised respecting safety protocols during the procession. The agency has not issued a public request for donations or memorial contributions, but local organizations may provide additional guidance in the coming days.