Wilson's Creek National Battlefield (MO)
Arrest of Man for Theft of Pistols from VC
A Springfield, Missouri, man was arrested by Springfield police on
Friday, April 2nd, in connection with the burglary of the parks visitor
center on January 11th. The three pistols stolen in the burglary have
been recovered in good condition. The man arrested is suspected of
federal weapons violations and possession of stolen property, plus a
number of state charges. The investigation continues. Agencies
involved in the investigation include the Greene County SO, Springfield
PD, ATF, FBI, and NPS. For related news story, click on "More
Information" below.
[Submitted by John M. Sutton, Chief
Ranger] More Information...
Natchez Trace Parkway (AL,MS,TN)
Recovery of Stolen Property
On April 2nd, Madison County deputies, acting on a tip, confiscated
more than $100,000 in stolen property — some of it from the park
— in a raid on two homes in Jackson, Mississippi. R.O.
was charged with receiving stolen property and J.T. faces a
disposing-of-stolen-property charge. Both have been charged with
state crimes and are to appear in Hinds County Court. Several agencies
are involved with the associated investigation and property
identification, including the Hinds County Sheriff's Department, Flowood
Police Department, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries,
and Parks, and Natchez Trace Parkway. Items stolen from the park
earlier this year — including ammunition, a Ford F150 pickup, a
generator, and three pieces of yard equipment — have been
identified and recovered. It will take several days to sort
through all the items that were seized. Additional charges may
follow.
[Submitted by Charles Cuvelier, Chief Ranger]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (PA)
Ed Whitaker To Retire In June
On June 3rd, career ranger Ed Whitaker will retire from the National Park Service, bringing to a conclusion over 35 years of government service.
Ed began as a soldier with the U.S. Army, then served as a refuge officer in the Fish and Wildlife Service, a ranger and chief ranger with the Army Corps of Engineers, and a ranger and district ranger in the National Park Service. He came into the NPS in October, 1977, as part of the Servicewide intake program that year.
In pursuing the dream of being a real park ranger, he and his wife, Betsy, have moved ten times over their 35-year marriage, which Betsy refers to as a lifestyle, not a job. They raised their two children in some of the more remote and rural locations in America. Son Bill is now a software engineer in Redondo, California; daughter Kristi is a personnel officer for Cardinal Health Services.
Ed was an intake trainee at Lake Mead NRA, then went on to be the subdistrict ranger in the Mora Subdistrict at Olympic NP. He served as district ranger in both the North District and South District at Cape Hatteras NS, and, since 1996, in the Pennsylvania District at Delaware Water Gap NRA.
"I've had more fun and adventures than anyone is entitled to, and got paid at the same time," he says. These include climbing Mount Rainier and Mount Olympus, fighting big fires, and wrestling mountain goats. He was involved in the arrest and successful prosecution of a murderer and has been shot at and burned over. He's had a chance to help towns and villages recover from hurricanes and people recover from the horrors of 9/11 at Ground Zero. He even got to sign a multi-million dollar DI-1 for a sewer plant at Mammoth Cave NP.
"I have worked with and risked my life with and for some of the finest men and women in the world, representing the finest parks in the world," he said. "I loved the big calls and the big incidents. I'm no hero, but I certainly know some."
"At Albright in 1978, Jim Brady taught me that you worked for the parks, not necessarily for the Park Service," he adds. "Fortunately, for most of my career the work has been mutually inclusive. It is a good time personally and professionally to leave."
He and Betsy have not yet decided on a place to settle down post-retirement and expect to remain at their current home in Pennsylvania for a while.
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.