Remembering Rangers.

When you think of a National Park Ranger, what is your 1st thought? Your 1st visual image. Most of us probably think of a Ranger like these folks: greeting us to the park, or out on patrol.

My old outfit, The National Park Service (NPS), says that nine Park Rangers have been slain (murdered or manslaughter) while in performance of their duties (protecting people, places & resources). The first was James Carey at Hot Springs NP (Arkansas) in 1927. As Supervisory Special Agent (ret.) Paul Berkowitz, who is updating his work: U.S. Rangers – The Law of the Land has indicated, others slain in the line of duty include: "1938 – Karl Jacobsen who was shot by a poacher at Acadia (Maine). The shooter was convicted of manslaughter. Also, Theodore Barnett was shot by a poacher in 1940 at Glacier NP (Montana). He survived for a time, but… died years later as a result of complications from the gunshot... in 1974 Gregory Wayt was leading a walk w/ park visitors when he was shot/killed by a juvenile who lived just outside the boundary at Casa Grande (National Monument, Arizona). That juvenile was also convicted of manslaughter... Something on the order of 25 others have died in the performance of LE duties...” Unfortunately, the “Thin Green Line” gets thinner too often. So, many Rangers worldwide find themselves daily in “Harm’s Way” being overwhelmed by superior weaponry and the element of surprise.

           During my earliest days as a Park Ranger I heard about the killing of Ranger Ken Patrick (1970) at Point Reyes National Seashore (California) by poachers. Of course the most recent was Ranger Margaret Anderson in Mount Rainier NP (Washington).

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/12/a-murder-at-paradise/?ref=opinion

Assaults on Park Rangers are all too common, as we’re usually working alone, “often miles from others that can assist (backup). Recently, Park Rangers trailed only the U.S. Border Patrol in the number of assaults upon our Federal officers. All-too-often young Rangers are taken prematurely from us. One Ranger that was murdered while not on-duty was a good friend and colleague. Cliff Nelson was an outstanding teacher (Montana's "Teacher of the Year" once) and “seasonal” Park Ranger that worked summers for the NPS (many of us started our careers that way). Meme & I always looked forward to his holiday seasonal greetings because they were short-stories written by his middle-school students from Seeley Lake, Montana. The night before the museum truck arrived at Little Bighorn to pickup sensitive materials for treatment (it was 1976 and bomb threats had been received), Cliff was asked to safeguard the materials in his in-park apartment. We were all in a high state of alert, probably wound-a-little-too-tight actually, when I heard a knock at the door. As I opened the portal, Cliff stepped in wearing Custer’s buckskins; my roomie and I howled & laughed – it was the perfect medicine. They also were a good fit, I must say… Cliff was murdered via shotgun blast by an assassin that waited for his return from a field trip one night after he took students to pizza & a movie in Missoula (which he often did). Anyway, here is to you Cliff (and ALL those that have given above-and-beyond “The Call”)…

1975 - Cliff Nelson, 2nd from right



From the NPS Morning Report:

“Wednesday, October 2, 1996 --- Clifford Nelson, a veteran seasonal ranger/interpreter who has worked at the park (Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument) since 1968, was found shot to death in his home in Seeley Lake, Montana, on Monday, September 30th.  The homicide is under investigation; no arrests have yet been reported.  Cliff was very proud to represent the National Park Service during the many years he worked at the park, and had just completed another season.  He was an outstanding story teller and loved to share his knowledge of the battle with visitors.  Cliff personified the image of the ranger/interpreter, and touched the lives of all who knew him.  A memorial service was held Monday evening at Seeley-Swan High School, where he taught when not working in the park.  A special scholarship fund has been established in his honor.
Contributions may be sent in care of the Cliff Nelson Scholarship Fund, First Valley Bank,

PO Box 720, Seeley Lake, MT

59868.  [Gerard Baker, Superintendent, LIBI]

Tuesday, October 8, 1996 -- Detectives investigating the murder of career seasonal ranger Cliff Nelson have determined that he was killed by birdshot from a 12-gauge shotgun, and that two 12-gauge shotgun blasts were also fired at the high school where he taught on the same evening.  Two local residents in their late teens or early twenties, both of whom had had problems with Nelson when in junior high, are suspects in the case.  The
two had been drinking heavily on the night of the murder and were seen in the area of his home.  At this point, authorities have only a circumstantial case, with no good physical evidence to tie the two to the scene.  The memorial service for Nelson was attended by 1200 people. [Information from Missoula newspapers, via Phil Young, SA, IMFA]

Monday, October 21, 1996 --- Sheriff's deputies have arrested Rambo Hooser, 19, and Matt Livingston, 21, of Seeley Lake, Montana, for the shotgun slaying of career seasonal ranger Cliff Nelson.  They have been charged with the homicide and with shooting at the high school where Nelson taught and are being held on $500,000 bond.  A 12 gauge shotgun was seized from Hooser's vehicle.  An informant has told investigators that Hooser had threatened to kill Nelson.  Hooser, a logger, had been expelled from Seeley
Lake elementary school years ago after a conflict with Nelson and subsequently failed to graduate from high school.  [Phil Young, SA, IMFA]”



Me 1975 - "Living History" talk



Follow-up FYI: there wasn’t much in the way of physical evidence (shotgun ballistics just aren’t a forensic scientist’s friend), subsequently there never was a conviction in this case: http://www.seeleyswanpathfinder.com/pfnews/rambotrial/acquital.html

“Like surfing in a hurricane”

Surf: Hurricane Danielle

With the state legislature now in session, and getting ready to appropriate the $250 million in “new” (or some say “not there”) revenue that is projected for next fiscal year, I think about some recent news pieces here and their implications on the future. Getting “ink” and radio air time recently is that 46% of the adults in the “Land of Enchantment” (aka State of Nuevo Mexico) read at a 6^th grade or lower level: pretty appalling. How will an electorate read, research and evaluate if almost half can’t comprehend the equivalent of a park brochure? Coupled with this is that 42% of children live in 1-parent households, long recognized as a stepping stone to poverty in many places (including here). I recently heard discussion of making social and unemployment program recipients participate in job-skill development or retraining programs. Sounds like it’d be worth a try.

On the educational equation again, as noted previously, it really usually comes down to parental involvement and value of the educational process. Years before we ever lived in Santa Fe we heard many negatives about the public school system here (even in early 80’s while living in Wyoming when Justin was born). Justin went K-12 in the public schools, and there were certainly some bright & talented students. Yet, so many drop-out before graduating from high school for various reasons: 53% graduate in 4-years (another 4% a year longer). There are certainly a multitude of reasons why young students should stay in school: the ability to think being one. I remember my “Black History” professor pointing out decades ago that without an education the highest paid NBA star will have their money only briefly, taken away by someone with more education and “smarts.” We’ve heard how much more earning power a high school graduate has during their lifetime, and same for a college grad, but I like to point out that a great value for enhanced life-long learning is so that you don’t end up working for “People In Management Positions” (PIMP) , you become their boss.

With a challenged electorate, comes fertile fields for demagogues, then we will be truly “surfing in a hurricane…”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIGp6N19Vrw

even if… an investment in same pays dividends :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWkjPrrBimA

"Schools out for summer"... (already?)

D.P. Riley, educator

As educators (and we ALL should be), I thought you might find this of interest.

I find myself agreeing with him, but thought paragraph 7 would've been better with "some say" vice "left say" (education doesn't need to be divisive and politically polarizing [much like conservation, we should ALL aspire towards "better"]; when it becomes a political ball it deflates, like now)... From the Santa Fe New Mexican, 15 Jan. 2012:

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Opinion/Money-isn-t-everything-in-education

“Into the vast expanse of liberalism, sustainability, cars with "Potters for Peace" bumper stickers and the seemingly infinite number of middle-aged white guys with ponytails I step — a token conservative, selected by The New Mexican editorial brain trust to grace these opinion pages.

I'm not complaining about being outnumbered. In the words of Gus McCrae in Lonesome Dove when asked on his deathbed if he wanted his partners to track down the Plains Indians who mortally wounded him, "We got no call to be vengeful, they didn't invite us here."

My name is Rob Nikolewski and I knew when I moved to the City Different that liberalism runs deep. More like gallops, but that's OK.

I edit and write a website called Capitol Report New Mexico, covering the Roundhouse and all things political in this state. I get my paycheck from the Rio Grande Foundation, the free-market think-tank based in Albuquerque, and I generally agree with Thomas Jefferson's dictum that the government that governs least, governs best.

So, with TJ's words ringing in our ears, let's talk about public education.

The results in national surveys consistently place New Mexico in the bottom five of all 50 states in student performance.

"We've gotta spend more money," those on the left say, "for the sake of our children."

But while New Mexico might get a D or an F on results, when it comes to taxpayer dollars spent on public education, our state earns a solid B. We're 18th in per-pupil spending.

I'm not saying that money is not important in public education — it is — but when your spending is 18th in the nation and your kids' results are 48th, it shows the dollars are simply not being used efficiently.

Gov. Susana Martinez pushed a bill through the Legislature last year that will start grading public schools on an A-through-F scale and in the 30-day session that starts Tuesday, she's calling for an end to "social promotion" of kids who can't read proficiently by the end of the third grade as well as a bill offering merit pay for top teachers.

These are good ideas but the biggest factor in academic success does not involve money or legislation or even finding and keeping great teachers.

Add captionJustin: UNM graduation

The biggest factor is parents. (my emphasis added… pay)

Last month, an international study showed parental involvement is the largest single determinant in academic achievement. The overseer of the Program for International Student Assessment says the biggest gains come "when parents read a book with their child, when they talk about things they have done during the day, and when they tell stories to their children."

Many of us remember the refugees from Southeast Asia who came to Southern California in the mid-1970s. They had no money, had arrived in a strange country and could not even speak the language, much less read the textbooks their kids took home. But they emphasized to their children in no uncertain terms there was nothing more important than a quality education.

Those kids attended some of the area's worst public schools and not only graduated, many of them became valedictorians because their parents had inculcated a culture that valued academics.

As reluctant as many people are to say it, New Mexico simply hasn't sufficiently developed a culture that embraces scholastic achievement. We're much too complacent about accepting the status quo and it's time we snapped out of it. Some may not want to hear that, but it's true.

Our state's high school dropout rate is scandalous. A staggering 33 percent do not finish the 12th grade. But are parents rioting in front the PED Building? Do they attend parent-teacher meetings? Are they demanding their kids work harder? Are they demanding more of themselves?

Everybody says they value their children's education. But I'm willing to ask a harsh question: Really?

several educators (parents)

Rob Nikolewski can be contacted at rnikolewski@gmail.com.”

FYI, in their attempts to mend some of their educational short-comings Santa Fe's public school system is declaring next week as: "No name-calling week"... As our son Justin earnestly prepares for the Law School Aptitude Test, I reflect back to how seriously this system prepared him for college and the world beyond in what can best be described as random discharges into the air (few targets) and yelling: “Viva La Fiesta!” It reminded me of the Marines firing small arms off the fantail of the carrier I was on (CVA-34 USS Oriskany, now the world’s largest artificial reef) for target practice. One Marine informed me that they’d never missed hitting the Pacific yet. (Thank goodness for Meme’s [and I some] readings and stories, and educational participation from a young age).

Now we need to get ourselves enrolled for some Summer School (THANK YOU Jimmy):

SUMMERZCOOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFx6wsmBIno

TRAINING OPPORTUNITY

Yesterday Jack, Norm, Rebecca & I ("the cadre" see below) met at HPD to discuss training materials, agenda, PowerPoint presentations, and logistics for next month's course:

Two-Day Advanced Heritage Resource Investigations

(aka: “NM Cultural Property Act Light”)

Sponsored by:

New Mexico Dept. of Game & Fish, New Mexico State Parks,

& the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division (HPD)

Santa Fe, New Mexico

February 14-15, 2012

(Law Enforcement credit by NM Department of Public Safety- NM11191N;

16-hours archaeological C.E. credit - New Mexico HPD)

Participants for the class will be: law enforcement officers, archaeologists, attorneys and cultural resource specialists employed (or contracted) by state, federal, tribal and local government agencies. Enrollment is limited to 25 participants.



Classroom instruction will take place at the NM Department’s Game & Fish Headquarters in Santa Fe, NM.  An archaeological crime-scene practical exercise is included as part of the training.  In this exercise, class participants will be required to carry out crime-scene investigation and field damage-assessment procedures at a mock archaeological crime scene. Class participants are encouraged to bring materials that they would normally have with them for field-work (compass, GPS, digital camera, etc.) for use with their field work and classroom presentation of same.

This two-day Heritage Resources Protection and Investigations Law Enforcement Class will provide training on aspects of the investigation and prosecution of cultural resources crimes.  Instructors for the class are experts in this area of law enforcement and archaeological program management.  Topics to be covered in the class include:

• The Looting, Collecting and Trafficking Network: What is “hot” and why…
• Federal and State Statutes Protecting Archaeological Resources and Human Remains
• Artifacts and Tools of the Trade: Tools Used by Violators.
• Cultural Resources Crime Scene Management and Investigation
• Dealing with, and handling of, human remains

• Archaeological Damage Assessment Methods

Instruction Cadre:

Jack Young, Archaeologist (NM Dept. of Game & Fish),

Norm Nelson, Archaeologist (NM HPD)

Rebecca Procter, Archaeologist (NM State Parks),

Phillip A. Young, Sr. Special Agent (ret. NPS), Archaeologist (ret. HPD).

Class fee: $75.00 per attendee.        Enrollment deadline: January 31, 2012. 

Payment is due with the enrollment form to Insights Investigative Services LLC, c/o  Phillip A. Young, 22 Encantado Rd., Santa Fe, NM 87508 by January 31, 2012 unless secured by a Purchase Order or Letter of Commitment with the enrollment form.  Personal check, money order, or Purchase Order accepted.  No refund for individual cancellation after January 31, 2012 unless the entire class is cancelled. 

NM DPS certification is available for attendees.

Tribute to Ranger Margaret Angerson

“NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

INCIDENTS

Mount Rainier NP
Thousands Honor Ranger Margaret Anderson

The memorial service celebrating the life of Ranger Margaret Anderson held
yesterday was extremely well attended, with the 3,000 seat auditorium
filled to capacity and scores of law enforcement agencies represented.

Rangers, officers and other first responders came from neighboring
communities and from throughout the state of Washington, as well as Idaho
and Oregon. A large contingent of Royal Canadian Mounted Police also
attended. The memorial procession was six miles long and included an
interagency pipe and drum corps and the Washington State Patrol rifle team.
Yosemite National Park personnel led a single riderless horse, followed by
a mounted team of Washington State Patrol officers.

People watching the live TV coverage noted that the clouds parted and Mount
Rainier came into view just as the service began. By the service's end, the
sun was shining.

Secretary Salazar, Director Jarvis and Superintendent Randy King spoke, as
well as Robert Danno of National Capital Region and Steve Mazur of
Voyageurs, both family friends of Eric and Margaret Anderson. Pastor Paul
Kritsch, Margaret's father, and Pastor Galen Gallimore of the Anderson's
family church shared remembrances.

The family asks that donations be made in lieu of flowers. They will be
used to help Eric raise their two girls. Donations should be sent to
KeyBank,

P.O. Box 159, Eatonville, WA 98328

. Checks should be made out to
the Margaret Anderson Donation Account. The National Park Foundation, the
official charity of the National Park Service, has also established a
memorial fund to benefit the children of Margaret and Eric Anderson.

All correspondence, including requests for information and condolences,
should be sent to MountRainierInfo@gmail.com.
[Patti Wold and Barb Maynes, Public Information Officers, Western Incident
Management Team]”

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017202331_rangermemorial11m.html 

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/article/Our-nation-has-lost-a-good-and-brave-ranger-2457279.php?fb_co%E2%80%8Bmment_id=fbc_5007052459034_731%E2%80%8B485_5007052666034&mid=5778301

Preparing for Petra… 2012

Today we’ve scheduled our next conference call for the Jordan Parks Project (Phase III). Park management has identified their desire for enhanced assistance with their Geographic Information System (GIS), search & rescue program (SAR), and transportation systems. I think we can help them along with our Park Ranger mentoring in those regards. Even though my weakest sub-discipline in Rangering (compared to emergency medical, fire, interpretation/education, law enforcement) is SAR, I’ve been know to tie a knot or two and certain help get folks up/down a cliff with some belays. In addition, our team jefe (leader), Bill Wade, is a former president of the National Association of SAR. Petra Archaeological Park (PAP) has been working towards an expanded transportation system to augment horseback rides from the entrance to the Siq (included in the price of your admission), camel rides to/from the Treasury & Lower Basin, horse cart rides to/from the entrance & Treasury for those with physical challenges, and donkey rides to various unauthorized destinations. The new transit (funded by UNESCO) is hoped be in the form of green-energy efficient buses shuttling visitors from the Lower Basin back to the vicinity of the new Visitor Center under construction in Wadi Mousa. As it so happens, team-member Bruce McKeeman worked at Yosemite when they instituted their bus system, plus the Dept. of Interior’s Int’l Tech. Asst. Prog. (ITAP) has already advertised looking for a transportation specialist within the Department for a short-term detail to PAP this spring. GIS & SAR are probably not far behind. As part of GIS, I can show field rangers some aspects of GPS (Global Positioning System)- though I’m far from earning a merit badge myself on the subject.



Sangre de Cristo Mtns.



This past week I traveled up to Colorado and visited with longtime friends from college days in Denver (Steve & Jackie [Lively] Norris, and Scott Halliday). We were all active in the Colorado Chapter of Vietnam Veterans Against the War in the early 70’s. Driving up I was treated to the breath-taking scene provided by the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains from Raton Pass, and roadways with names like: Abbey Road, Young Hollow. The four of us shared some interesting adventures so many decades ago, and it was great to reminisce. One was going to a Chicago concert (as I recall), with Jackie, her sisters and their dates. I was the escort of the youngest sister, Suzanne, and have always used that term because even though she was heart-stoppingly cute (and a bit "Lively"), she was also 10-years younger than me (and as Jimmy pointed out in the song “Livingston Saturday Night”… “15 may get you 20”): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gzzS0nyMfM




closed portajohns at Ad-Deir

 

One of the serious discussions we had was regarding the state of politics in this-here-land: the polarization partisanship of the extremes (“disgusting”). Even a conservative elder statesman (Senator Alan Simpson ® Wyoming) can’t believe what a mire we’re in. So, Steve mentioned a Third Party on-line alternative: Americans Elect. We need to get our elected representatives thinking of who they represent instead of party and special interests again while we can. I think I’ll check-it-out at: http://www.americanselect.org/?gclid=CNGt0NXsxa0CFRRZhwodUB5NAw

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_information_system

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belaying

A very SAD start to a new year.

Indeed, not a good start = The National Park Ranger corp is a small tight knit society and we are mourning the tragic murder of a young Ranger, mother of two very young children (age 4 & 2), at Mt. Rainier NP... Phil Young Senior Special Agent (Ret.)

"The Coalition of National Park Service Retirees expresses its deepest condolences to Superintendent King and the staff at Mount Rainier National Park on the tragic death of Ranger Margaret Anderson.  Heartfelt sympathies are also extended to Margaret's husband, Eric, her 2 daughters, her family and friends.  We are all part of the National Park Service family, and this senseless death affects us all.  We are heartbroken.  How quickly a wonderful story of a dual career couple, finally working together in a beautiful place, can turn tragic.  Her loss is painful for all of us.  We must take strength from each other and provide whatever support is necessary to her family and the park staff at MORA."

Maureen Finnerty, Chair
CNPSR

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

INCIDENTS

Mount Rainier NP
Suspect In Ranger Killing Found Dead

Ranger Margaret Anderson, 34, was shot and killed on the road to Paradise
at Mount Rainier National Park on New Year’s Day morning. The body of her
assailant, Benjamin Barnes, who fled into the backcountry, was found by
searchers yesterday afternoon.

The intensive manhunt for Barnes came to an end when searchers in an
aircraft spotted a body lying face down, partially submerged in the
Paradise River in the vicinity of Narada Falls. Searchers on the ground
traversed challenging terrain to reach the spot and confirmed that it was
Barnes and that he was dead.

An investigation into the incident is being led by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation with park rangers and Pierce County Sheriff’s Department
officers assisting. The Western Incident Management Team (Denny Ziemann,
IC) is en route to the park to assist with planning a memorial service for
Anderson and with ongoing park needs. Information on the service will be
posted on InsideNPS once it becomes available. The park will remain closed
to the public through today to let staff begin to work through their grief.

On the morning of January 1st, Anderson set up a traffic block to intercept
a vehicle that had failed to stop at a chain-up checkpoint. The driver,
Benjamin Barnes, opened fire on Anderson, killing her, and then fled on
foot into the woods. Anderson had worked at Mount Rainier for three years.
She is survived by her husband, Eric, also a ranger in the park, and by two
young children.

Mount Rainier National Park closed during the hunt for the gunman, with the
park evacuating park visitors to get them out of potential danger.  There
were 125 visitors in lockdown at the Paradise Visitor Center from Sunday
noon until 3:30 a.m. on Monday.  They were escorted out of the park in
small groups of five vehicles, accompanied by law enforcement officers.
There were also 25 visitors at the National Park Inn at Longmire who were
evacuated out of the park.  Visitors had been held at these locations for
their own safety.

Approximately 200 personnel were involved in search operations on Monday,
January 2nd. Agencies participating in the search effort included the
National Park Service, Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, Federal Bureau
of Investigation, Tacoma Police Department, Washington State Patrol,
Customs & Border Patrol, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Forest
Service, Pierce County Fire Districts, Lewis County Sheriff’s Department,
Enumclaw PD, Portland PD, Seattle PD, Snohomish PD, and law enforcement
officers from other jurisdictions as well. Resources included K-9 units,
armored vehicles, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

Director Jarvis issued this statement early on Monday morning:

“Yesterday morning, Park Ranger Margaret Anderson was shot and killed while
making a traffic stop at Mount Rainier National Park.  As I write this late
Sunday night, the murderer is still at large in the park, which has been
closed.  We are working closely with the FBI and local law enforcement to
protect visitors and staff and to track down Margaret’s killer and bring
him to justice.

“This is a heartbreaking, senseless tragedy.  Margaret was just 34 years
old. She and her husband Eric, who is also a park ranger at Mount Rainier,
have two young children.  Margaret was killed while doing her job –
protecting the visiting public on one of the park’s busiest days of the
year.

“Last week, we mourned the death of U.S. Park Police Officer Mike Boehm,
who suffered a heart attack while responding to a serious incident in
Washington, DC.  Mike left behind a wife and a son.

“Our hearts go out to both families, and I ask you to keep them in your
thoughts and prayers in the hard days ahead.

“As updates from Rainier are available we will share them with all
employees through InsideNPS.  These losses are painful reminders of the
risks faced by National Park Service employees every day. Please be careful
out there and watch out for each other.”

[Lee Taylor, Mount Rainier, and Patti Wold, Western Incident Management
Team]