02-639
Katmai National Park & Preserve (AK)
Death of Ranger/Pilot Tom O'Hara
Ranger/pilot Tom O'Hara, 41, was killed on Friday, December 20
(corrected from previous reports), when his plane went down on the
tundra east of Upper Ugashik Lake. His passenger, Corey Adler, 30, a
biologist for the Fish and Wildlife Service, survived the crash and is
hospitalized in Anchorage in stable condition. The two flew out of King
Salmon on Thursday to conduct a moose tracking survey in Alaska
Peninsula NWR. When they failed to return in accordance with their
flight plan, the Rescue Coordination Center dispatched an Alaska Air
National Guard C-130 and a Coast Guard UH-60 helicopter to search for
them. At first light on Friday, fourteen single-engine aircraft and a
helicopter flew out of King Salmon in search efforts coordinated by the
NPS, Fish and Wildlife Service and Alaska State Troopers. Most were
piloted by volunteers and friends of Tom, who was a life-long resident
of the Bristol Bay area. The crash site was found late in the afternoon,
and Adler was evacuated to Naknek. A joint investigation is being
conducted by state troopers and officials from NTSB, FAA and OAS. Tom
O'Hara had logged over 11,000 hours as a pilot in command. He had a
dozen years of service as a commercial pilot in the Bristol area, and
had provided aerial support for Katmai and Lake Clark NP's, Alagnak Wild
River, Aniakchak NM, and other Department of Interior agencies. Tom was
a dedicated employee, son, husband, father, and community member. His
passions were his family, flying, and stewardship of the resources and
lifestyle of rural Alaska. Tom was active in his community of
Naknek-King Salmon where he grew up. He was the assistant wrestling
coach for the junior high and high school team, and was active in his
church at all levels, most notably flying children to bible camps. His
co-workers describe him as energetic and exuberant. He provided a strong
link between the residents of Bristol Bay and the National Park Service
which will be missed. Tom is survived by his wife, Lucy, and their three
young children. Memorial services in celebration of his extraordinary
life will be held on Friday, December 27, in Naknek. His family asks
that donations be made in lieu of flowers to a memorial fund in Tom's
name for his children. Donations can be made to Tom O'Hara Memorial
Fund, Wells Fargo, King Salmon Alaska branch, Account # 5198027038,
Routing # 125200057. Letters of condolences can be sent to Lucy O'Hara,
PO Box 252, King Salmon, AK 99613. At the request of the family,
uniforms are optional at the service. No defensive equipment is to be
worn. The uniform of the day is service winter dress, with outer wear
recommended.
The following message was issued yesterday by
Deputy Director Murphy regarding attendance at the funeral: "Last week,
the National Park Service lost Tom O'Hara, one of its finest, in the
line of duty as a result of an aviation accident. Tom was a protection
ranger and pilot at Katmai National Park and Preserve. Arrangements are
being made to have former Katmai National Park and Preserve employees,
who are also close family friends, represent all of the regions at the
memorial service in Alaska. To date, this involves employees currently
located in the Pacific West, Intermountain and Midwest Regions. I am
authorizing their attendance using regional funds. In addition, each
park in the Alaska region will be represented. If additional employees
of the National Park Service wish to attend, please contact Karen
Weerheim at 907-257-2687 for information on what commercial air services
might be available. It is anticipated that there may be transportation
logistical difficulties. Additional details, including an address for
condolence letters and a memorial donation account, can be found in
InsideNPS and the Morning Report. Thank you for the support of Tom's
family, the park, and the National Park Service
family."
UPDATE, 11:30 a.m. EST, 12/24: By order of the
Secretary of the Interior, all flags are to be lowered to half staff,
effective immediately and continuing until sunset on Friday, December
27. Uniformed employees are authorized to wear black bands on their
badges; non-uniformed employees may wear black mourning devices such as
were worn after the 9/11 attack on the Trade Center. This will also be
effective through Friday, December 27.
UPDATE, 1 p.m. EST, 12/26:
Additional information:
The park address for those who would like
to send notes to park employees is Katmai National Park and Preserve, PO
Box 7, King Salmon, AK 99613.
The complete address for Wells
Fargo donations is Wells Fargo, PO Box 458, King Salmon, AK
99613.
Tom's father, for those wishing to send
condolences, is D.O.
[Submitted by Joe Fowler]
02-643
Tumacácori National Historical Park (AZ)
Death of NPS Archeologist E.H.R.
E.H.R. was killed in a motorcycle accident on Sunday,
December 22, near Tubac, Arizona. He was the son of P.T. of
Amarillo, Texas, and J.R. of Santa Fe, New Mexico. E.H.R. was
born on December 10, 1968, in Arlington, Virginia. He was a 1987
graduate of McLean High School and a cum laude graduate in 1995 from
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Early childhood experience in
West Texas on the Bridwell Ranch, which was managed by his grandfather,
and a particularly inspiring professor at VCU motivated him to study
archeology and to obtain a master's degree in anthropology from the
University of Wyoming in 2000. An innovative and energetic thinker,
E.H.R. was in the early stages of a promising career with the National
Park Service, from which his father retired in 2000. He had participated
in an archeological study of the diet of 19th century enlisted men at
Fort Laramie NHS, worked for the Wyoming State Historic Preservation
Office, and participated in the archeological survey at Pecos NHP. At
the time of his death, he was an archeologist in the "Vanishing
Treasures" program at Tumacacori NHP, where he was developing a method
for documenting preservation work done on adobe ruins and also monitored
the effects of new construction on archeological resources. In addition
to his parents, he is survived by their spouses, N.B. of Santa
Fe and D.T. of Amarillo, a sister and brother-in law, T.
and D.C. of Leesburg, Virginia, a brother, Je.R. and
companion L.A. of Ashburn, Virginia, a grandmother, H.S.
of Amarillo, and five nephews and a niece in northern Virginia.
Donations in E.H.R.'s memory may be addressed to the New Mexico
Heritage Preservation Alliance, P.O. Box 2490, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2490.
A funeral service is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, December 28, in
Vega, Texas. Messages of condolence may be sent to J.R. and to P.T.
Updated on December 26 at noon
EST with this note from J.R., which he asked be passed on to
all:
"Between the fact that this is Christmas week and that we are all in so many scattered places it has been difficult settling on a time for the Memorial Ceremony for E.H.R., but we have at last done it.
"The ceremony will be at the Methodist Church in Vega, Texas on Sunday December 29 at 2pm. G. has agreed to lead us in a participatory ceremony in which a small number of people will make brief statements about E.H.R.. I will make the final statement and Tiana will lead a closing prayer. There will be an open reception in the fellowship hall immediately following the ceremony. Arrangements are being handled by Boxwell Brothers through their Vega Funeral Home.
"Cremation will occur in Arizona later this week, and the Sunday date was selected by Peggy and me in order to be sure of having the remains present. There will be no interment, although we do anticipate a memorial plaque being placed later at the S. family plot in the Vega Cemetery.
"Although time will be limited, anyone who would like to make a brief statement during the ceremony may let me know by e-mail and we will do our best to work it in.
"I anticipate holding a separate memorial ceremony at Pecos National Historical Park at a time to be determined later."
[Submitted by Ann Rasor, Superintendent]
02-647
Padre Island National Seashore (TX)
Major Drug Seizures
During the early morning hours of December 17, thirteen illegal
aliens were arrested and 607 pound of marijuana were seized during a
joint operation with the Border Patrol, Customs and the Coast Guard. The
arrests and seizure took place when a launcha (shark boat) from Mexico
rendezvoused with two vehicles in a remote location 50 miles down island
from park headquarters. As with many other incidents over the past year,
those arrested included a mix of nationals from Honduras, El Salvador,
Cuba and Mexico. On the following night, another launcha was spotted
heading towards Padre Island. The vessel was intercepted in park waters
in the Mansfield Channel and was found to be carrying 1,077 pounds of
marijuana. Information from the two men on board led to the discovery a
transfer boat further inland and a waiting pickup on the mainland. The
two-day operation resulted in the arrest of 21 smugglers and the seizure
of 1,600 pounds of marijuana, three vessels and three vehicles.
[Submitted by Randy Larson, Chief Ranger]
02-648
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
DUI Checkpoint and Arrests
A multi-agency DUI (driving under the influence) checkpoint was
established and operated on the Foothills Parkway spur between
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge between 11 p.m. on Friday, December 20, and
2 a.m. the following morning. Eight rangers, three Gatlinburg PD
officers, and three Sevier County deputies participated in the
operation, which was coordinated and managed by the park. A drug dog was
also employed. About 1100 cars were stopped during the three-hour
period. Thirteen drivers were detained for further investigation,
including field sobriety tests. Five were arrested for DUI; one was
arrested and charged with DUI and possession of a loaded firearm while
under the influence. The man had a loaded rifle and a loaded .357
revolver in his possession, with the latter cocked and lying on the
front passenger seat under a jacket. One case was made for possession of
a controlled substance, and two people were cited for operating without
drivers licenses. Even though traffic was backed up for about
three-quarters of a mile at one point during the first hour of
operation, only one negative comment was received during the entire time
period. The rest were very supportive, giving only positive feedback.
Several local residents interviewed at the checkpoint said that they'd
never seen anything like the checkpoint and that they were glad to see
it. None felt that the wait in traffic was an issue.
[Submitted by Rick Brown, District Ranger]
02-649
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (AZ)
Recovery of Stolen Vehicles
On December 5, rangers were checking on an illegal drive-through (a
road created illegally by smugglers) when they came upon two vehicles,
both of which turned and fled south past them. The second vehicle, a
Nissan Pathfinder, was disabled with tire spikes and later found
abandoned on the Red Tanks trail system. A similar incident occurred on
December 18 on the same drive, also culminating in the seizure of an
abandoned Nissan Pathfinder. Both vehicles were found to have been
stolen in San Diego. They were being used to smuggle illegal aliens and
possibly drugs on a daily basis for over three weeks. These smuggling
operations caused damage to over then miles of trails in the Victory
Mine, Senita Basin and Red Tanks Tanaja trail systems. The smugglers
have been using the three trails as part of their road system - a not
uncommon practice.
[Submitted by Grant Stolhand, Park
Ranger]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Gulf Islands National Seashore (FL,MS)
GS-5 or GS-7 Seasonal Ranger
The park is currently advertising for a seasonal ranger. Although
there's just one position, it's being advertised as both a GS-5 and
GS-7. The respective announcements are DEU GUIS 03-02 and DEU GUIS
03-03. They close on January 9. Shared government housing may be
available. The announcements can be obtained on USA Jobs or by calling
850-934-2601.
[Submitted by Kitty Lewis]
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.