Corporal Theophilius Gaines

Theophilius Gaines

Corporal Theopolis Gaines and Lieutenant Tremain Hughes were killed when their state police airplane crashed a few miles east of Cazenovia in Madison County, New York, at 5:19 pm.

Corporal Gaines was conducting routine inspections of Troop Communications Sections and was being transported from Troop to Troop by aircraft. Corporal Gaines was a passenger in a plane operated by Lieutenant Hughes, and it is believed that they hit the top of a tree during a forced landing in foggy conditions. The aircraft burst into flames, and both were killed.

Lieutenant Hughes was trapped in the rear cockpit of the burning plane, and Corporal Gaines was thrown from the plane and died instantly.

Corporal Gaines had served New York State Police in Albany and had previously served with Troop B Malone. In 1928, he had been shot in the shoulder and jaw while chasing a suspected bootlegger. He was survived by his wife, parents, and brother.