View Full Version : Park Ranger gunned down at Mt. Rainier Ntl Park
gimmethesimplelife
1-1-12, 8:25pm
Working so many seasons in National Parks, I am very saddened to post that today a Park Ranger at Mt. Rainier National Park was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop. Saddened as were the situation different, I could have worked at Mt Rainier and possibly would know the ranger, saddened as I have always seen the parks as a bit of a sanctuary from urban life (though in no way without their dysfunctions), and saddened also as I hazard to guess there may be more security at parks now, more of the kind of thing that people go to these parks to get away from. Please, if prayer is your thing, send some prayers or kind thoughts or whatever to the family and to the full timers and seasonals at Mt. Rainier......Rob
Sad, Rob. I hadn't heard this story yet, thanks for sharing. Thinking of her and her family and coworkers, and all the campers who must be terrified that the guy is still loose and armed, at least unless the article I picked was too old . . .
gimmethesimplelife
1-1-12, 9:01pm
Yes, very sad.....And last I head this (fill in the blank) was still on the loose. I am just flabbergasted, it hits me very hard as I have worked so many seasons in National Parks I qualify for the title of "park junkie." Thanks for the kind thoughts fidgiegirl. Rob
This world sure harvests a lot of hatred... Bless his family.
Her family, actually -- she was a mom of two young kids (4 and 1).
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57350762/park-ranger-killed-by-gunman-in-national-park/
What a totally senseless tragedy. The main suspect is also thought to have been involved in the shooting of four people in Seattle, and is an Iraqi war vet. So many lives destroyed needlessly....
The mountain was looming large and white as we prepared to take off from Seatac yesterday. Had no idea this kind of thing could/would happen there. Thoughts are with her family -- the husband is also a park ranger....
lhamo
Her family, actually -- she was a mom of two young kids (4 and 1).
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57350762/park-ranger-killed-by-gunman-in-national-park/
What a totally senseless tragedy. The main suspect is also thought to have been involved in the shooting of four people in Seattle, and is an Iraqi war vet. So many lives destroyed needlessly....
The mountain was looming large and white as we prepared to take off from Seatac yesterday. Had no idea this kind of thing could/would happen there. Thoughts are with her family -- the husband is also a park ranger....
lhamo
I am simply hoping a cougar finds him before he finds his way into an occupied cabin... This is a tragedy of multiple levels. I am also holding his family in the Light tonight... Their son & brother is accused of atrocities.
Safe trip home, lhamo. It was a delight to meet you.
The POS who killed Margaret Anderson is dead, lying in a creek/ditch and partially covered with snow. The mountain did indeed "get" him, he died of hypothermia and drowned. He was not a "survivalist" at all, he was a veteran of the war and it seemed had a chip on his shoulder.
Ranger Anderson came from my home town in Westfield, NJ, and her parents still live in the area. As a matter of fact, her father is a pastor at a Lutheran Church in Westfield.
Her husband worked at the first park I volunteered: Prince William Forest Park, a National Park near Washington, DC.
She has two children, ages one and three! And her husband is a ranger also at Mt. Rainier National Park.
You can send condolences to: Officer Down (http://www.odmp.org/officer/21076-park-ranger-margaret-anderson)
The park will reopen on Saturday: Seattle Times (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2017154298_apusmountrainiershooting.html)
It has been a sad day for all of us.
Not to glamorize this story, or exploit it in any way, but here is an interesting post by a hiker who was in the forest at the time of the manhunt. One of the chopper crews sent them messages via coffee cup--so PacNW.
http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7995972&highlight=ranger+has+been+shot
My DH has worked for both the Forest Service and the Park Service. While early in his career with the FS he spent a lot of time in the woods, alone, surveying roads (yeah, logging roads), and since this was in the '70s and in marijuana-growing country, he sometimes didn't feel real secure. Weird noises, bears, things like that -- but he made it home every night. 31 years with USFS, 6 with NPS. I worked 10 years for USFS. Wonderful life.
As a former NPS employee, this story really troubles DH (and me), as with both agencies we knew about some dangerous situations with some employees -- fortunately, or unfortunately?, I really don't remember them now, but I know DH does. I know our friends in WA are reeling. What a tragedy.
To All,
From Lee Snook, MORA park ranger: Here's an update for those who wish to make donations to Margaret and Eric's family. I spoke with Key Bank this morning, and contributions may be dropped off at any Key Bank branch. Donations may also be mailed to Key Bank, P.O. Box 159, Eatonville, WA 98328. Checks should be designated for the Margaret Anderson Donation Account. Thank you all for your support!
Normally I would not post this but as a Park Ranger, we make a pittance in salary, she might have gotten ~ $35K a year. Washington State is an expensive place to live, so getting a little financial help would be nice.
Can't get the donation box on my website, PayPal would take out fees for it, so since that is crazy, I just ask that if you want to make a donation, you send a check to the address above, or go to a Key Bank and ask for the money to be put for the Margaret Anderson Donation Account.
Thanks for posting that, Laura.
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