United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations, U.S. Government
End of Watch: Saturday, September 20, 1941
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 20, 1941
Weapon Used: Rifle; .30-.30
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 10 years
Ranger Harmon Schwoob was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a poacher in Angeles National Forest, California.
Ranger Schwoob, who was at home and off duty, had responded to a request from another ranger who was in pursuit of the poacher. They pursued the suspect into the City of Azusa, California, where the suspect finally stopped at the dead-end of East 11th Street. As Ranger Schwoob approached the suspect with revolver drawn the man opened fire with a .30-.30 lever action rifle, striking him. The man fled after being wounded by two bullets in the left arm and shoulder. The suspect was arrested a couple days later at the home of his sister. The suspect claimed that he thought he was being robbed by the two uniformed officers.
On December 12, 1941, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to one to 10 years.
Ranger Schwoob was survived by his wife.