Voyageur National Park Law Enforcement Ranger Dies During Water Rescue
Oct 07, 2024 07:18AM ● By Content Editor
Photo by Akira Hojo on Unsplash.com
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 7, 2024
October 8, 2024 Update: The National Park Service has released the identity of the Law Enforcement Park Ranger who died in the line of duty. Park Ranger Kevin Grossheim, 55, of Kabetogama, Minnesota, had worked at Voyageurs National Park as a commissioned law enforcement park ranger for over 20 years. Learn more here.
Original post:
On Sunday, October 6, a National Park Service Law Enforcement Park Ranger lost his life while attempting to rescue a family stuck on an island on Namakan Lake in Voyageurs National Park. The Ranger, who has not been publicly named, was described by St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsey as "experienced" and "close to retirement."
According to the National Park Service (NPS), a family of three called for assistance late Sunday morning from a "distressed civilian vessel" on the lake. The Ranger met up with the individuals and towed the distressed vessel in an NPS boat. At some point, the NPS boat capsized, causing the Ranger and three individuals to fall into the water. The members of the family were able to swim to safety, but the Ranger was unaccounted for.
After a three-hour search, the ranger's body was recovered from the lake that afternoon.
High wind gusts and rough waters with five to six-foot waves were reported at the time of the incident, according to Sheriff Ramsey. Earlier in the day, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office released a statement indicating that the Department was participating in multiple water rescues that day, and advised the public to stay off bodies of water until conditions improved.
"His partners and deputies who worked with him all knew he had a servant's heart as big as the Park he patrolled. Our thoughts go out to the Ranger, his partners, friends, family, and National Park Service," he said.
October 8, 2024 Update: The National Park Service has released the identity of the Law Enforcement Park Ranger who died in the line of duty. Park Ranger Kevin Grossheim, 55, of Kabetogama, Minnesota, had worked at Voyageurs National Park as a commissioned law enforcement park ranger for over 20 years. Learn more here.
Original post:
On Sunday, October 6, a National Park Service Law Enforcement Park Ranger lost his life while attempting to rescue a family stuck on an island on Namakan Lake in Voyageurs National Park. The Ranger, who has not been publicly named, was described by St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsey as "experienced" and "close to retirement."
According to the National Park Service (NPS), a family of three called for assistance late Sunday morning from a "distressed civilian vessel" on the lake. The Ranger met up with the individuals and towed the distressed vessel in an NPS boat. At some point, the NPS boat capsized, causing the Ranger and three individuals to fall into the water. The members of the family were able to swim to safety, but the Ranger was unaccounted for.
After a three-hour search, the ranger's body was recovered from the lake that afternoon.
High wind gusts and rough waters with five to six-foot waves were reported at the time of the incident, according to Sheriff Ramsey. Earlier in the day, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office released a statement indicating that the Department was participating in multiple water rescues that day, and advised the public to stay off bodies of water until conditions improved.
"His partners and deputies who worked with him all knew he had a servant's heart as big as the Park he patrolled. Our thoughts go out to the Ranger, his partners, friends, family, and National Park Service," he said.
The United States Border Patrol, St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, and Kabetogama Fire Department assisted in the search and recovery.
