United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Government
End of Watch: Thursday, July 26, 2012
Age: 46
Tour of Duty: 16 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Automobile crash
Date of Incident: January 25, 2007
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Postal Inspector Preston Parnell succumbed to injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Highway 43, near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on January 25th, 2007.
He was conducting an investigation into a major check fraud case stemming from Hurricane Katrina with a special agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation when they were involved in the crash. The driver of another vehicle had become distracted by a ringing cell phone and crashed into another car, which was then pushed into the path of their vehicle.
Inspector Parnell suffered severe head trauma, a broken neck, and other injuries. He never fully recovered and passed away as a result of the injuries on July 26th, 2012.
Inspector Parnell had served with the United States Postal Service for 16 years. He is survived by his wife and two sons, and his parents.