Number of Law Enforcement Officers Killed In The Line Of Duty Up 38% In 2010

According to statistics kept by the FBI the number of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty is up 38% over 2009.  160 Officers were killed in 2010 as apposed to 117 in 2009.

During this same time period violent crime rates went down.

59 law enforcement officers were killed in shootouts during 2010.

The reason for the increase in officer deaths is theorized to be due to three factors:

    1.  Decreases in budgets have resulted in less officers trying to do more

     2.  An increasing violent number of criminals who are not afraid to kill law enforcement officers rather      than go to jail

    3.  A sharp increase in distracted drivers making traffic enforcement more dangerous

Think about number 3 next time when you are driving down the road talking on the cell phone or texting.

During the coming New Year let's not forget these men and women who gave their lives keeping us safe and the families they left behind.

You can learn more at:

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/1228/Why-police-officer-deaths-rose-37-percent-in-2010

http://www.nleomf.com/

A Christmas Present For Us All -Utah State Park Ranger Brody Young Improving

Utah State Park Ranger Brody Young who was shot over a month ago is improving to the point where he can talk and give investigators some basic information.  For more on the story go to:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50924487-76/nyland-police-remember-doesn.html.csp

Government Shutdown Looming – An Old Story

A big story in the media today is that pending government shutdown is looming if a budget is not passed by Sunday.  The coverage I am seeing makes it sound like this is the first time this has ever happened.  Realistically, not passing a Federal budget in time has become more a standard operating procedure for Congress. It is usually the result of the two political parties refusing to support any budgetary proposals put forward by the other. 

What normally happens is a Continuing Resolution is passed authorizing Federal Agencies to spend a percentage of what they did the year before.  One of the complications to this system is that Federal agencies may not know what their budget is for the year until half way through the fiscal year.  This does not allow for proper planning, scheduling, or efficient and affective spending of funds once they are approved.

Back in the early 1990s we faced a true shut down when Congress had still not approved a budget and could not even agree on an additional Continuing Resolution.  October is one of the busiest months of the year in the Eastern parks and the start of the Federal Fiscal year.  In mid October all Government Agencies were ordered to shut down all non essential services.  On the Blue Ridge Parkway the Superintendent determined that only supervisors were to be considered essential personnel and all others were to be sent home and all public facilities closed.  As the James River District Ranger I was the only supervisor in our division and had to send home all of my staff immediately and then proceed to clear all the visitors out and close two major picnic areas and a campground that happened to be near capacity of occupation.  The fact that these areas were separated over a distance of 70 miles also made this task more challenging.  I believe that I was cursed and verbally abused more on that one day then in the rest of my 32 year career.  No one told the public not to come to the most visited National Park Service area during the fall color season.  What they found were no campsites, no visitor centers, no park ranger programs, and most importantly no restrooms.

This continued for about ten days.  At first I was the only park ranger in the District that could work and respond to emergencies.  After several days the decision was made that one non supervisory park ranger per district could work per day.  No one knew if they would be paid for this time or not.  All other employees stayed home. 

Eventually a budget bill was passed and all employees were paid their regular pay for the time they were off.  So while park rangers worked others had a paid vacation.  But the largest impact was on the visitors whose National Park experiences were disrupted.

Today all Law Enforcement Commissioned National Park Rangers are considered essential personnel.  So should another government closure happen, public safety and protection of sensitive resources can still be assured.

Seasonal Park Ranger Application Tips

I have had several people write to me and ask questions at book events about applications for seasonal park ranger positions.  As I have noted before, most of the applications for this coming spring and summer seasons in National Parks are due in January.  Many job announcements for such positions are starting to show up at:

http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/

I would recommend visiting this site regularly to find any jobs you may be interested in.  Each announcement will have specific instructions on how to file your application.

Here are a few tips I have been passing around;

Consider that the first reading of your application that determines whether it gets passed on to a hiring supervisor or not will be done by someone who thinks they know everything but in truth know very little about being a park ranger.  That should be the initial audience that you are writing for.  That may sound a bit negative, but I ran into the situation of Human Resources clerks putting people that I knew were good individuals and highly qualified below others on scored lists.  The reason generally was the result of an application that did not include key words or phrases that evaluators are looking for.

Toot your own horn because no one else will.  Experienced seasonal park rangers tend to be overly modest in applying for jobs. I believe this is the result of their experience giving them a better insight of what the job requires than an inexperienced person possess.  They then tend to measure themselves to a higher standard and thus demean their level of know-how and ability in writing.  Do not fall into this trap.

Apply to multiple parks.  It is always a mistake to put all your eggs in one basket.  Do not overlook the lesser known, smaller, and urban areas and parks.  These locations in some cases hire more seasonals or have more turn over from past staff from the summer before.  The urban parks in many cases offer more opportunities for eventual permanent status since they also have more turn over in those types of positions. 

Are you a member of the Association of National Park Rangers?  At their annual Rendezvous they generally have Human Resources folks from Washington available to sit down and review applications with seasonal employees.  ANPR also provides mentoring programs, networking opportunities and training in leadership that is open to all members not just those nominated by supervisors.  Check out their website at:

http://www.anpr.org/

Go to the search window to your right on this site and type in “jobs.” To read past posts on this topic.

Good luck pursuing a career as a National Park Ranger.

Utah State Park Ranger Brody Young's Condition Is Improving

One month after being shot multiple times during a vehicle stop Utah State Park Ranger Brody Young is still hospitalized but showing improvement.  Brody is now listed in fair condition in St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado.

For more information check out:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50865553-76/hospital-condition-desert-grand.html.csp

Christmas Gathering of Authors In Lexington, Virginia

Book Signing Event

Books and Company

Nelson Street, Lexington Virginia

Sunday December 19, 2010

2 pm

Twelve local authors will be present to sign and personalize their books.  Included will be:

Bruce W. Bytnar “A Park Ranger’s Life”

Jim Bresnahan  “Friday Night Reunion”

Kate Buford  “Native American Son”

Patricia Foreman  “City Chicks”

Chris Gavaler  “School for Tricksters”

Keith Gibson  “Campus History of VMI”

John Leland  “Learning the Valley”

Dougie Morris  “Whilhelmina Under the Stairs”

Dabney Stuart  “Open the Gates”

Ann Sullivan  “Simply Sullystone”

Lisa Tracy  “Objects of Our Affection”

Reader Review of "A Park Ranger's Life"

Here is another reader's review of A Park Ranger's Life: Thirty Two Years Protecting Our National Parks.

December 10, 2010

Bruce Bytnar's book is packed with fascinating episodes that he experienced as a U.S. Park Ranger. Throughout its pages, he describes his career with the Park Service, as well as the various challenges he faced later on. The everyday problems that he dealt with ranged from wildlife poachers to inept supervisors and bureacracies. Despite all of this, his tone remains positive and inspiring. 

"A Park Ranger's Life" was published during my Seasonal Law Enforcement Academy, and I found it to be a helpful read. Overall, the author's stories provided extremely valuable insight into my desired career field, and I was glad I had read it after working as a NPS ranger this summer. Not only does Bytnar describe the ups and downs of the work, but he also provides a detailed look into other assignments, such as working on a forest fireline. 

I also enjoyed how the author described how his personal life was affected during his career. Park housing and family relationships are discussed, which are an extremely important part of working as a ranger. Few, if any, books take pause to examine this lesser-known component of how rangers live. 

"A Park Ranger's Life" makes an excellent read for anyone considering working as a Protection (LE) ranger. I also enjoyed the book, since I lived near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina and frequented it for hiking and camping. 

I am looking forward to reading it again soon.

You can still order copies of A Park Ranger's Life from on line sources in time for Christmas gifts.  The book is also available on Amazon Kindle for those digital readers out there.


Wheatmark Publishing
http://www.wheatmark.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BS&Product_Code=9781604943450

Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Park-Rangers-Life-Thirty-two-Protecting/dp/1604943459/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Barnes and Noble.com
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/A-Park-Rangers-Life/Bruce-W-Bytnar/e/9781604943450/?itm=1&USRI=a+park+ranger's+life

If you are in Virginia you can find signed copies at the book stores listed in the right hand column of this blog.

New York Times Article on the Dangers of Working In the Wild

The New York Times featured a good article on the dangers of working in the wild as a park ranger or wildlife officer.  You can access the article at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/07/us/07rangers.html?_r=1

Utah State Park Ranger Update for December 7

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50819930-76/arellano-infection-nyland-grand.html.csp

Web Site For Utah State Park Ranger Brody Young

Here is a web site for Utah State Park Ranger Brody Young who was shot in the line of duty on November 19.

http://www.rangerbrody.org/

Update On Utah State Park Ranger Brody Young

Here is an update on Utah State Park Ranger Brody Young who remains in critical condition after being shot two weeks ago.  This is taken from The Desseret News.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700088176/Fundraiser-set-for-injured-park-ranger-in-Moab.html

MOAB — A Utah State park ranger remains in critical condition, and the man alleged to have shot him remains at large two weeks after the shootout occurred at the Poison Spider Mesa trailhead outside of Moab. Meanwhile, friends and acquaintances are planning a local fundraiser to help the family any way they can.

"I started calling people, and it was, by the next morning, our whole community, this sort of river community, knew what had happened to Brody," said Brian Merrill, one of Young's friends who helped organize the event. "It spread like wildfire, and everybody was concerned and praying."

"You can see that person's face, and you know that person's family, it's like, oh my gosh," Broyles said.Merrill and Chip Broyles, who are also helping organize the fundraiser — set for Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Eastmont Middle School, 10100 S. 1300 East, Sandy — said a lot of people in the river-rafting community in Utah know Young and his wife, Wendy, so when they heard about the shooting, they thought they should help.

The fundraiser will include live music, food, and auctions for river trips, outdoor gear, gift certificates to restaurants and "a bunch of other things people will probably be interested in," said Broyles.

There is also an account set up at any Wells Fargo branch in Brody Young's name.

A family member said Brody Young has been through several surgeries and continues to have complications with infections while recovering at a Grand Junction, Colo., hospital from multiple gunshot wounds.

Young, 34, was shot during a Nov. 19 confrontation with a man who evaded police in a weeklong search of the canyons in the Caveman Ranch area, off Potash Road, just outside of Moab. It is believed that Young was conducting a routine parking-lot check at the Poison Spider Mesa trailhead when the exchange of shots was fired. Young was able to radio for help, but the man had escaped before anyone arrived.

Before having a chance to interview Young and after blood was found inside the vehicle driven by the gunman, officials had reason to believe the man had been shot in the leg.

Lance Leeroy Arellano, 40, was charged Nov. 23 with attempted aggravated murder, a first-degree felony.

Contributing: Wendy Leonard

Questions On Suicides In National Parks

I had several interesting comments posted on my Facebook Fan page in reference to the story below about suicides in National Parks.

 Do you think they were all definitely suicides? Unless there was a note left, I would wonder that maybe they missed their footing or maybe had vision problems.


Response: A human death is not classified or declared a suicide until a full and thorough investigation is conducted. Initially any suspicious death is looked at from every angle including a possible murder. In today's world of technology many suicidal persons do not leave notes. They at times leave text and voice mail messages or call a family member or friend to threaten suicide. Family members, counselors, doctors, and co workers are often interviewed as part of the investigation to determine and verify the mind set of the victim. Forensic evidence is also collected from the victim and scene for examination. The medical examiner also has to make the final determination as to cause of death. It was also my experience that for most of the suicides I investigated it was not the person's first attempt. So there are many levels of determination and decision made before a death is declared a suicide.


Come on there has to be some better news for Facebook. How many fall in love in the parks?


Response: There are always positive experiences to be had in our National Parks. Many people do not realize that there are also tragic incidents such as these that not only affect the victims and their families, but the park employees that are involved in the response, rescue efforts, and investigations.


Andy Lankford (Author of Ranger Confidential)  Interesting story Bruce. Regarding the author's suggestions at the end...1. Don't think barricading either of those parks is an option 2. Rangers already do a good job of stopping suicides but more training in this area would not hurt. During my younger days, I think I stopped a suicide once when I arrested a man with a gun along the roadside but I did not comprehend that was what I had done until years later.


Response: Andy is right, park rangers are often unable to fully evaluate the impact that they have on peoples' lives. I believe the vast majority of them are positive some times saving and at other times altering a life.


Unfortunately, investigating suicides is just another part of A Park Ranger's Life.

Quirk of Firearms Law Changes in National Parks

Since last February due to an Act of Congress people can now carry firearms in National Parks if it is permitted by states and counties adjoining the parks.  As an example, loaded firearms are now permitted on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  This includes while persons are in a vehicle.  Hunting on the Blue Ridge Parkway is still prohibited.

On bordering lands managed by the US Forest Service in Virginia, where hunting is permitted, loaded firearms in vehicles are prohibited year round.  This prohibition is the result of Virginia State Law that outlaws carrying loaded firearms in vehicles on all state regulated game lands and National Forests.

The firearms prohibition that existed in National Park areas since before the creation of the National Park Service in 1916 was intended for the protection of wildlife.  Now firearms are more strictly regulated on public lands that permit hunting then in National Parks where hunting is prohibited. 

The Blue Ridge Parkway Tops List For Suicides in National Parks

A sad record for the Blue Ridge Parkway has been noted in a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  During my career I had to investigate and deal with the aftermath of numerous suicides within the park.  I was even called upon to assist investigations in other jurisdictions and parks due to my less than desirable experience.

You can read more about this issue in my book A Park Ranger's Life: Thirty Two Years Protecting Our National Parks.

The following is taken from Lifescience.com http://www.livescience.com/health/national-park-suicide-rankings-101202.html

A new report has placed the Blue Ridge Parkway and Grand Canyon National Park at the top of America's national parks in a grim statistic: suicide attempts.

The research, published today (Dec. 2) in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, found that between 2003 and 2009, there were 286 suicide attempts on national park property. Of those, 194 succeeded in ending their lives.

According to the report, more than three-quarters of suicides occur at home, but suicides in public places like national parks can be traumatic to both park staff and witnesses. They can also be expensive. In one case, the report found, the search for a missing suicide victim cost almost $200,000.

In keeping with national trends, the most common suicide method in national parks was by firearm. Men made up 83 percent of park suicides.National park suicides are more likely than average to involve a jump or a car crash: In 19 percent of attempts, the person fell from a cliff or a bridge, and in 6 percent of cases, people attempted suicide by vehicle, sometimes driving off a cliff. In comparison, 2 percent of suicides nationally involve a jump, and less than 1 percent are transportation-related, the report noted.

The highest number of suicides occurred in June, August and January, the report found, with 22, 21 and 21, respectively. 

The Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile (755 km) stretch of scenic road in North Carolina and Virginia, tied with Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park as the site of the most suicide events between 2003 and 2007. Both had a total of 21 attempted suicides. At the Blue Ridge Parkway, 15 committed suicide, while 11 did so at the Grand Canyon.

Natchez Trace Parkway in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee came in third with six attempts and 11 completed suicides. Colorado National Monument saw three attempts and 12 suicides, and Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California rounded out the top five with three attempts and 11 suicides.

The only other park with double-digit rates was New River Gorge National River. That park had a total of 10 attempts, nine of which were fatal. [See this table for suicides in other national parks]

The research found no long-term trends in the prevalence of suicide in the national park system, but the report's authors recommend training park rangers to recognize suicidal behavior. They also recommend that parks consider physical suicide barriers, such as pedestrian barriers on bridges. Research indicates that discouraging access to easy methodsreduces suicide, the authors wrote, because people do not usually seek out an immediate alternative method.

The Danger Of Protecting Natural Resources

The link below will take you to the Officer Down Memorial Page.  There you will learn about Wildlife Conservation Officer David Grove who was shot down outside Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania.  Officer Grove was murdered while on a vehicle stop of a suspected wildlife poacher.  The poacher turned out to be a convicted felon who had sworn not to go back to jail.

The image that many have of wildlife poachers is that of some local individual just trying to make ends meet and feed his family.  During more than thirty two years as a National Park Ranger I never met that individual.  The poachers that I dealt with were most likely involved in a variety of criminal pursuits and had already developed an impressive list of arrests or charges.  Attempted murder, assault and battery, dealing in controlled substances, burglary, bad checks, identity theft, larceny, auto theft, dealing in stolen property, and marijuana cultivation are among the litany of crimes that were also the business of poachers.

What motivated these individuals to illegally kill wildlife in National Parks was profit.  They either profited monetarily or in status and bragging rights among their peers.  One group of poachers who were also breaking into homes, dealing in drugs, and included one who had been in prison for attempted murder were killing as much wildlife as possible in Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway on a bet.  They documented their kills with Polaroid photos and the one that illegally killed the most game animals by the end of the year would win a case of beer.  Many of their kills were slaughtered and the meat sold on the illegal market for money to cover their gas and bullet costs.  An interagency investigation between the National Park Service and the State of Virginia eventually put these individuals in jail.  The total number of deer, bear, and bobcats they killed was never determined.

All these factors contribute to the dangers faced by park rangers, forest service law enforcement officers, and wildlife officers nationwide.

http://blog.odmp.org/2010/11/conservation-law-enforcement-more.html

Seasonal Park Ranger Application Time Nears

January will begin the annual job announcement and application process for those wishing to become Seasonal Park Rangers this coming summer.  Those interested in the opportunity to work in our National Parks can find out about available park ranger positions by going to the Office Of Personnel Management website at:

www.opm.gov

Once there go to USAJobs and conduct a search for “Park Ranger” or “National Park Service.”  There you will find listed all the jobs open within the National Park Service.

You can learn more about starting out as a Park Ranger by going to the search window to your right on this blog and typing in “jobs.”  This will take you to four previous posting I have written to answer often asked questions about how to become a park ranger.

When looking for your first seasonal park ranger job I recommend applying to multiple locations.  Do not overlook smaller less known areas and urban parks.  Many full time rangers in the service today initially got their permanent status in urban parks such as Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia, The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in New York, The Westward Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, and the Mall in Washington, DC.

Many seasonal park rangers are college students, teachers, or those looking to start a second career.

Most park rangers start out in seasonal or temporary positions.  I started as a seasonal park aid at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrive in 1975.  Here are a few photos from my first jobs.

Book Signing Event

Tanglewood Barnes and Noble Book Store

Roanoke, Virginia

Saturday December 4, 2010

1 pm

Retired National Park Ranger and author Bruce W. Bytnar will be at The Tanglewood Barnes and Noble in Roanoke, Virginia to personalize and sign copies of his book A Park Ranger's Life: Thirty Two Years Protecting Our National Parks.

Read this book to learn what it is like to be a National Park Ranger, what threats are faced daily by visitors and resources in our parks, what you can do to help protect our parks, and make your next visit a safe one.

A Park Ranger's Life has been adopted as required reading at Northern Arizona University, Ohio State, and Slippery Rock University for those students studying to become park rangers.  Many other colleges are listing the book as recommended reading for students.  These academic institutions have selected this book based on the entertaining, accurate, and honest depiction of the rewards, challenges, and frustrations of a career as a National Park Ranger.

Shooter Is Still Being Sought In Utah

The man accused and now charged with shooting Utah State Park Ranger Brody Young is still at large.  Ground searches are being once again scaled back as no clues or sign of Lance Leeroy Arellano have been found.  The media coverage of the investigation has also become scant.  Here is the latest from the Denver Post.com.

http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_16725657

"A Park Ranger's Life" Interview on Examiner.Com

Richard Sincere a journalist who interviewed me while attending an author's event in Charlottesville, Virginia has written an article on Examiner.Com.

You can check it out at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/libertarian-in-charlottesville/virginia-author-bruce-bytnar-describes-the-life-of-a-park-ranger?sms_ss=twitter&at_xt=4ce89036d4e8e7a4,0

Update On Search For Shooting Suspect In Utah

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AM5IC20101123

Latest Update On Search for Shooter of Utah Park Ranger

Searchers are still covering the rugged Utah terrain looking for the suspect in the shooting of Park Ranger Brody Young.  A photo of the suspect has been released.

Lance Leeroy Arellano, as seen in a 2008 photo. A search resumed Monday in rugged terrain near Moab, Utah for Arellano, 40, sought in the Friday shooting of Utah park ranger Brody Young.

Grand County, Utah, Sheriffs Office/AP




http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20101122/NEWS/101129969/1077&ParentProfile=1058

Dangers of Working As a Park Ranger

Below you will note two incidents where state park rangers were involved in shootings this weekend.  One in Tennessee and the other in Utah that has left Brody Young fighting for his life in a hospital after being shot three times.  Both incidents occurred during a car stop situation for most likely some type of minor violation.  Going back more than thirty five years I remember during my earliest National Park Service law enforcement training that the most dangerous situations that officers could face were vehicle stops and domestic disputes.  During my career I found this information to be true and these two incidents once again confirm that conclusion.

Academic studies and analysis of data have shown that National Park Rangers are the most likely to be physically assaulted of all Federal law enforcement personnel.  Exposure during vehicle stop situations when park rangers have no idea who they are dealing with contributes to the increased potential for violent attacks.  In comparison, most Federal law enforcement officers and agents do not regularly make vehicle stops unless they are planned well in advance following an investigation and with adequate resources available not alone in a remote area with no backup within quick response.

No matter what agency a park ranger works for, they face many of the same threats and dangers on the job.  These two recent events testify to that fact.

Park rangers provide what is referred to as “full service” law enforcement services.  That means that they respond initially to any violations and crimes that occur within their area of jurisdiction.  They are much like most state and local law enforcement officers in this regard.

Park rangers generally work in areas that are remote and unpopulated and therefore do not have many other law enforcement officers in the immediate area.  Consequently, assistance in the form of backup when a situation goes bad is most likely not near at hand.  Criminals are aware of this and may be more embolden to physically challenge park rangers.

FBI studies have shown that a significant number of law enforcement officers that are shot in the line of duty were known by the public as friendly and helpful persons.  These words can be used to describe most park rangers.  Once again a criminal that is either desperate or under the influence of drugs or alcohol may feel over confident that they can come out on top in a physical confrontation.

This may be simplistic and many more factors have to be considered in each situation a law enforcement officer faces, but these are some of basic challenges faced by park rangers each day they put on their uniform.

For now let us all remember Utah State Park Ranger Brody Young in our thoughts and prayers that he will soon return to his family and the outdoors he loves.

Black Friday

Author Signing Event

Books and Company

Nelson Street

Lexington, Virginia

Friday November 26

12 Noon

Retired National Park Ranger and author Bruce W. Bytnar will be at Books and Company to personalize and sign copies of his book A Park Ranger's Life: Thirty Two Years Protecting Our National Parks.

Read this book to learn what it is like to be a National Park Ranger, what threats are faced daily by visitors and resources in our parks. and what you can do to help protect our parks and make your next visit a safe one.

A Park Ranger's Life has been adopted as required reading at Northern Arizona University, Ohio State, and Slippery Rock University for those students studying to become park rangers.  Many other colleges are listing the book as recommended reading for students.  These academic institutions have selected this book based on the entertaining, accurate, and honest depiction of the rewards, challenges, and frustrations of a career as a National Park Ranger.

For more information:

www.aparkrangerslife.blogspot.com

www.aparkrangerslifethebook.com

Update On Shooting Of Utah State Park Ranger

According to the National Park Service's Washington Office, Park Rangers from Canyonlands and Arches National Parks are participating in the search for a suspect who shot Utah State Park Ranger Brody Young.  They are searching for a suspect believed to be wounded in the shoot out with Young.

A person of interest has been named in the investigation.  According to 13 Action News from Las Vegas:

Lance Leeroy Arellano, 40, was identified as "possibly being involved in the shooting" of Brody Young outside of Moab, the Grand County Sheriff's Department said in a statement late Sunday night. 


Brody Young remains hospitalized in stable condition.


For more news coverage go to: 


http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13546962

From the National Park Service Morning Report for November 22:

Canyonlands NP
Major Search In Progress For Man Who Shot State Ranger

Rangers from Canyonlands NP and Arches NP are involved in the massive
search for the man who shot Utah state park ranger Brody Young on Friday
evening. Young, 34, stopped a Pontiac Grand Am at the Poison Spider Mesa
trailhead in Dead Horse Point State Park, located near Canyonlands, and
contacted the driver, believed to be 40-year-old Lance Leeroy Arellano, a
man with a criminal history that includes assault, drug possession and
theft. Young was shot at least three times – in the arm, leg and stomach –
but was able to radio for help. He is currently hospitalized and in
critical condition. The shooter is believed to still be in the area and is
the subject of a search that at last report involved 234 people from 28
agencies. NPS rangers are assisting in confining the area and in searching
stretches along the Colorado River. For additional details, click on the
link below to a current KSL News story that also has images of the ranger
and the suspect. [KSL News report; Denny Ziemann, Chief Ranger]
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=13361285

Tennessee State Park Ranger Shot At During Attempted Vehicle Stop

It was reported on November 20 that a Tennessee State Park Ranger was shot at by a suspect when he attempted to pull him over for a vehicle stop.  This occurred at Cedars of Lebanon State Park in Wilson County.

For more information go to:

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=13543285

This incident along with the shooting of Utah State Park Ranger Brody Young exemplify the dangers faced everyday by park rangers no matter what agency they work for.

You can learn more about what it is like to be a ranger in the book A Park Ranger's Life: Thirty Two Years Protecting Our National Parks.  It is available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble .com.  You can also ask for it at your local book store.  Stories in the book will inform you of the dangers faced by our modern day protectors of our nations heritage.

Utah State Park Ranger Shot

Not many details have been given out but Utah State Park Ranger Brody Young was shot while on duty at Poison Spider Mesa.  He was shot with a rifle three times.  He is in critical but stable condition.  A man hunt is continuing to find his assailant.

For more details go to:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700083885/Sheriff-vows-to-catch-man-involved-in-shooting-of-park-ranger.html

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50715977-76/ranger-hospital-grand-shot.html.csp

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/11/20/general-us-park-officer-shot_8154284.html?boxes=Homepagebusinessnews

Brody Young (photo from the Desert News)

Book Event In Charlottesville, Virginia This Friday

Just a reminder that I will be at this event with 35 other authors this Friday.  I hope.

e to see you ther

Save the Date !

Come Support Virginia Authors...

 

You are cordially invited to attend the

 

 

Meet the Authors "Book Signing" Event

Friday, November 19, 2010

11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Holiday Inn University Hotel Ballroom

(corner of Hydraulic Road and Rt. 29 S. Charlottesville)

 

Free Admission.  Cash/Checks only.

 

Looking for the perfect gift for the hard-to-shop-for family member or friend?  A signed book by the author is a unique and thoughtful gift idea!  Come... meet over 35 Virginia authors who are anxious to meet the public and sign their books before the upcoming holiday season!

 

Advertising:  NewsPlex TV Channels 16,19, and 27, Comcast Community TV Channel 13 "Speaking with Andrea" interview with Jayne Cox, WINA, Victory FM, Daily Progress, and The Hook and C-Ville Weekly Community Calendars (starting Sunday, Nov. 14).

 

A special thank you to all our local sponsors:

The WalMart Store Zion Crossroads, Davenport & Company, Robertson Electric, Virginia National Bank, Sun Trust Bank, Albemarle Heating and Cooling, Cox Chiropractic Clinic, Bankers Insurance, Schmidt Kaminski & Vik Group/Merrill Lynch, Snows Garden Center, Reines Jewelers, Stedman House Interior Design,  Kendall Law Firm, KMS Photography, Floors Are Us, Dr. Frank Barberio Family Dentistry, Drs. Record Record & Adams Optometrists, Foster Well & Pump, Merry Maids, Richard A. Oliva & Sons, Bob's Wheel Alignment, Charlottesville Sanitary Supply, Realtor Arleen Yobs at Keller Williams Realty, Mosaic Innovations in Marketing, Chandler's Bakery, Sylvan Learning Center, Gibson Tent & Party Rentals, and Tate Publishing & Enterprises.

 

Hope to see you there ! 

Jayne D'Alessandro-Cox, Author and Event Organizer

www.miraclewriter.com

Famous Actress Always Wanted To Be A Park Ranger

Betty White an icon of stage and Television for sixty years has recently revealed that she always wanted to be a park ranger.  Recently the US Forest Service honored Ms. White by making her an honorary forest ranger.  For details go to Mail online at:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1328241/Betty-White-park-ranger-The-88-year-old-actress-finally-fulfils-girlhood-dream.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Diversity In Our National Parks

There has been quite a bit of media coverage on Oprah Winfrey’s visit and camping trip to Yosemite National Park.  Oprah’s stopover in the park was prompted by an invitation from Park Ranger Shelton Johnson who is the only African-American Ranger at the park, an author, and a featured voice in the Ken Burns documentary on the history of the National Parks.  Oprah’s visit was intended to inspire minorities to develop and interest and then visit our National Parks.  This is truly a noble effort that will hopefully generate interest in the parks for a large part of our population that is not often seen on hiking trails, in campgrounds, or in visitor centers.

During my career with the National Park Service there was a constant concern and emphasis on developing a more diverse workforce to protect our parks.  In 1999 I conducted research and wrote an academic thesis on recruiting of seasonal employees for the National Park Service.  At that time those of us in the field attempting to fill summer temporary positions had seen a sharp decline in the number of applicants.  This concern spurred my interest in the recruiting process and a component of the resulting research was to determine what had attracted those persons working as seasonals in the National Park System.  One common thread that became quite apparent was that most individuals were exposed to National Parks as children with their families.  This early exposure to the concept of National Parks and working or living in either the outdoors or in culturally significant sites started for most at an early age.

My parents taking me to visit National Parks strongly influenced my own desire to become a National Park Ranger.

Should Oprah’s visit to Yosemite influence people to visit parks, the National Park Service could see a golden opportunity to not only improve the diversity of visitors and supporters of the system but the chance to influence future career choices that could ultimately lead to the diverse workforce objectives the agency has strived toward for years.

New Endorsement for "A Park Ranger's Life"

More endorsements are coming in from readers of A Park Ranger's Life: Thirty Two Years Protecting Our National Parks.  Even those who do not actually read are making recommendations.  Here is one of the residents of the Peaks Of Otter Lodge who is excited about the book;

Do not forget that if you are in the Staunton, Virginia area this Saturday November 6 stop by Wilderness Adventure at 50 Middlebrook Avenue between 1pm and 4pm.  I will be there with copies my book for signing or personalization.

More Information On Rescue Of Missing Woman

The following is from TriCities.com

Crystal Lynn Ham, 25, of Elgin, South Carolina, was located by search crews at 6:11pm November 1^st after an extensive three day search. She is currently recovering in a hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Crystal was hypothermic, but conscious and able to confirm her identity when searchers located her about a mile from where her vehicle had been parked on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Crystal had been last seen on Tuesday morning, October 26^th, by her father at his office. Crystal’s vehicle was seen parked at Bullhead Mountain Overlook near Milepost 234 on the Blue Ridge Parkway on Wednesday morning around 8:00am. As this overlook provides parking for an area where visitors frequently hike and camp overnight, the vehicle’s registration was not immediately checked. Upon running the registration of the vehicle on Saturday morning, Blue Ridge Park Rangers discovered that the owner, Crystal Ham, was listed as missing by her family.

Over the next three days, searchers and organizers from multiple cooperating agencies, including North Carolina State Parks, North Carolina Highway Patrol, Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Laurel Springs, Cherry Lane, Glade Creek, Alleghany County Search and Rescue, Alleghany County Sheriff’s Department, Kershaw County, North Carolina Search and Rescue Dog Association, and North Carolina Project Saver Specialized Team searched a 1.25 mile radius from the location her vehicle was found. The search area was divided into segments, and those segments were prioritized and searched. Seven teams searched assigned areas on November 1^st, some going out on multiple missions during the day as they searched the difficult terrain.

On the afternoon of November 1^st, one of the search teams volunteered to search one last segment of the search area before dark. At 6:11pm, that search team located Crystal, alive but suffering from hypothermia, dehydration and exposure. The searchers began warming her, and her condition started to improve. Crystal was found on State Park land, approximately one mile downhill from where she had parked on the Parkway, in an area of steep terrain and tall trees, with the light quickly fading. At 9:45pm, a paramedic was able to hike in to her location and assess her condition, and determined that she was stable enough to stay the night. Due to the difficulty and risk associated with a helicopter rescue in steep terrain, a plan was developed to bring Crystal out of the area by helicopter at first light.

Thirteen searchers and rescuers spent the night with Crystal, keeping her warm and monitoring her condition. At approximately 8:30am, a helicopter from the North Carolina National Guard hoisted her out of the ravine she was in, along with one of the paramedics that had been treating her. She was then flown to a nearby landing zone near the Bluffs Lodge on the Blue Ridge Parkway where she was assessed by an ambulance crew before being transferred to a medical helicopter to be flown to Winston-Salem.