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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT Monday, November 5, 2007 =============================================================================================================== INCIDENTS Grand Canyon NP Park Employee Found Deceased In Residence Eric York, a 37-year-old wildlife biologist at Grand Canyon, was found deceased in his residence on the South Rim on Friday morning. York was found unresponsive at his home at approximately 8:30 a.m. and pronounced dead by emergency personnel shortly thereafter. His body has been turned over to the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office in Flagstaff. No further details are available at this time. The cause of death is under investigation by the NPS. [Pamela Walls, Public Affairs Officer] Crater Lake NP Follow-up On 2005 Ranger-Involved Shooting On July 27, 2005, two Crater Lake rangers responded to a domestic disturbance in Mazama Campground. During the incident, one of the rangers shot and killed the man involved in the disturbance as he charged them while brandishing a deadly weapon and threatening to kill them. The investigations into this shooting, and the board of review that was convened afterward, found that the involved rangers were acting within the scope of their duties and in full compliance with National Park Service policies. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon concluded that it was a justifiable and necessary use of deadly force to prevent death or great bodily harm. At the time of the shooting, based on the interests and needs of the involved rangers, and in consultation with the U.S. Attorney's Office and deputy solicitor, the park chose not to release their names to the public. With the passage of two years, and in consultation with the involved rangers, comes the realization that sharing information about shooting incidents with the law enforcement community can be an important step toward providing healing and closure. The sharing of this information, including the names of involved rangers, can also help prevent an officer from carrying the burden of a line of duty shooting alone in his or her private life. The rangers involved were seasonal ranger Pieter Sween, who was the ranger directly involved in the shooting, and supervisory ranger Peter Reinhardt, who as Sween's partner provided backup and assistance during the incident. In recognition of their actions during the shooting, Sween and Reinhardt have been presented with exemplary act awards. Fourteen other Crater Lake employees were presented with unit citation awards for their actions in responding to and managing the incident. Rangers Sween and Reinhardt acted quickly, decisively, and appropriately to prevent death or serious injury during a rapidly evolving situation. They demonstrated superb courage, judgment and tactics in successfully resolving a violent and dynamic situation without injury to innocent persons. It's hoped that this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of appropriate training and tactics, and that the lessons learned can help the safety of other officers. [Dave Brennan, Chief Ranger] Shenandoah NP Search For Missing Man Comes To Successful Conclusion The search for C.B., 40, came to a successful conclusion around 11 a.m. on Friday, November 2nd, when he was found inside a culvert under Route 211 about a mile west of Skyline Drive. He was responsive and able to talk to rescuers and was taken to Winchester Medical Center, where he is in stable condition. The search for C.B. began on Sunday evening, when the park received a report from his fiancé saying that he was despondent and had walked off into the woods near Panorama. Approximately 100 employees and volunteers, including ground searchers and dog teams, were involved in the five-day-long search. National Park Service staff from Shenandoah, Blue Ridge and Fredericksburg were assisted by personnel from Appalachian Search and Rescue, Piedmont Search and Rescue, Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group, the Page and Spotsylvania County Sheriffs' Departments, Virginia State Police, Dogs East Search and Rescue, Blue and Grey Search and Rescue Dogs, Virginia Search and Rescue Dogs Association (VSRDA), Public Safety Dogs Inc., and Mid-Atlantic Dogs. Shenandoah National Park wishes to thank these cooperating search teams for their response and continued efforts. [Karen Beck-Herzog, Public Affairs Officer] OTHER NEWS The following stories (among others) can be read on InsideNPS: George Washington Memorial Parkway - On Friday, the NPS and Federal Highways announced the beginning of a $35 million road construction project on the parkway that will improve motorist and trail use safety on the Boundary Channel's historic “Humpback Bridge.” HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5945" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5945 Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs - This week's update on past and upcoming hearings and the status of legislation pertinent to the National Park Service. HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5944" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5944 US Park Police - On Friday, October 26th, officer Adam Zielinski was recognized with the Officer of the Year award by American Legion Post 136 in Greenbelt, Maryland. He was selected for this award based on his outstanding dedication to duty and tenacious patrol of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1737" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1737 Workforce Management - The Washington Office is seeking applications from highly skilled GS-14 and GS-15 National Park Service employees interested in serving on a detail assignment as the Associate Director, Natural Resources Stewardship and Science. HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewjobdetails&type=Jobs&id=3021" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewjobdetails&type=Jobs&id=3021 * * * * * Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov, 570-686-3828). --- ### --- |