An FWC officer died on patrol after her all-terrain vehicle crashed Saturday night in the Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area of the Everglades in southwest Palm Beach County.

Michelle Lawless, 47, was working in the northwest corner of the management area, near the L5 Canal and the Palm Beach County line, when she collided with a steel gate. When fellow officers found Lawless later that night, she was pinned under her vehicle and unresponsive. Lawless was patrolling the area for poachers targeting alligators and other species. The Florida Highway Patrol is currently investigating the accident.

Lawless began working for the FWC's Division of Law Enforcement in 2003. After completing training at the FWC academy, she worked in Broward County until her death.

“Michelle was a diligent, accomplished officer, who died doing what she did so well—protecting Florida’s natural resources,” said Major Brett Norton, commander of law enforcement for the FWC’s South Region. “This is a painful loss to the entire agency, her family and friends.”

Lawless is survived by her parents, Tom and April Lawless, and countless other family and friends. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.