The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

H1N1 flu suspected in Preble County officer’s death, sheriff says

Share your condolences for Michael Thornsberry

Ohio gets $335M in housing help
8:34 p.m.
State child  care fraud forces costly fix
8:30 p.m.
Education law signed locally fading away
8:17 p.m.
A&E show bungles Jungle Jim’s home
8:01 p.m.
Congressman’s son arrested in Oxford
7:52 p.m.
> More headlines

By Steve Bennish, Staff Writer Updated 11:18 AM Saturday, November 7, 2009

PREBLE COUNTY — A Preble County sheriff’s captain has died, an apparent victim of the H1N1 flu virus and pneumonia, Sheriff Mike Simpson announced late Friday, Nov. 6.

Capt. Michael Thornsberry, 38, a 15-year veteran, fell ill on Oct. 20 with what was then believed to be pneumonia.

His condition worsened, and on Oct. 25, he was taken to Reid Hospital in Richmond, Ind., by ambulance.

Later than evening, he was taken by air ambulance to Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis.

In the weeks that followed, he was diagnosed with both viral and bacterial pneumonia, as well as H1N1.

He passed away shortly after 5 p.m. Friday. He had been in the intensive care unit 13 days, Simpson said.

Physicians believe the pneumonia was a consequence of the virus, Simpson said.

“It’s my understanding the viral pneumonia was because of the H1N1 in his system,” he said.

Capt. Thornsberry leaves behind a wife, Michelle, and daughters Faith and Ally Grace.

“He was a very dedicated employee,” Simpson said. “I would describe him as a company guy who never went home until the job was done. He was a very good family man.”

Since his promotion 18 months earlier, “he had done an excellent job for me since then. It’s a big loss.”

Further information will be released in the coming days, the sheriff said. It’s expected that by Sunday, funeral arrangements will be announced.

Share this article