Occupational Hazing
1946
SS Frederick Galbraith work ship
Crossing the Line ceremony, non-military
Occupational hazing
Teenage workers Leroy Robert Bragg, 14, and Stanford Fluit, 16, died from an overdose of saltpeter meant as a joke during a ship’s hazing at the Equator.
Other crewmen became ill but lived. Survivors were Milton Fleishman and Harry Rose
2004
Occupational Hazing
Denton County, Texas
Republic Energy Drilling Company
In 2004, a fatal occupational initiation in Denton County, Texas, led to a jury trial that ended with a 38-year-old drilling rig hazer receiving an 18-year prison sentence—only two years less than the maximum penalty the law allowed. 23-year-old Shawn Davis, a new employee of Republic Energy Drilling Company, was hooked to a cable by veteran workers and then accidentally tossed and dragged to his death.
2022
Occupational Hazing
Central Arkansas
Police Academy death due to multiple non-criminal causes during a hazing activity called a hazing “smoke session” in full gear under blazing hot heat. A coverup, lying about the training, and a lack of accountability make it a throwback to hazing practices of old. Vincent Parks of the Jonesboro Police Department died while training July 17, 2022.
“The hazing of police officers and lying to cover up the horrendous, humiliating abuse of a police officer and protector of justice is not going to be swept away by ALETA’s self-serving findings that the conduct by its instructors was acceptable,” wife Christina Parks said in a statement.
Read more about the hazing incident here.
Too late but Arkansas Gov. bill may prevent future police cadet deaths.