Hundreds of law enforcement officers travel to Bangor to honor fallen Maine Game Warden

BANGOR (WGME) — A special ceremony was held outside the Cross Insurance Center Thursday to honor Maine Game Warden Joshua Tibbetts, who died in a plane crash last week.

During the ceremony, there was a fly over, firing salute and then the casket flag was folded and handed to Tibbetts’ mother, Barbara. Shortly after that, dispatch did an official sign off for Tibbetts.

Hundreds of police officers, not only just from Maine, but also from different parts of the East Coast, were there for the ceremony. They all lined up in front of the Cross Insurance Center as Tibbetts’ body was brought from the hearse to inside the arena, where the service took place.

“It was a great service,” Ernie Smith, who assisted on bagpipes and drums Thursday, said. “It’s good to see the turnout that there was today and how much our service members and safety people are honored by the state.”

“He just had a nice temperament to him,” coworker David Craven said. “He was liked in the agency. As we heard today, he loved his girls, his daughter and his family, and he was true blue Maine Game Warden.”

As Tibbetts’ casket was brought inside Thursday morning, his family members were right by the entrance as game wardens carried the casket in. Those at the service say they hope Tibbetts is remembered by not only how dedicated he was to public service but how much he loved his family, especially his two daughters he now leaves behind.