Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, Ohio
End of Watch: Tuesday, December 17, 2002
Age: 50
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Accidental
Date of Incident: December 17, 2002
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Park Ranger James Pitney was killed when a large piece of a tree fell and struck him on the head as he walked beneath a worker in a tree-topping bucket.
The work crew was topping the tree at a campground at Charles Mill Lake when the accident occurred. Ranger Pitney was transported to MedCentral-Mansfield Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Ranger Pitney was a US Air Force veteran. In addition to being a park ranger, he also served as a part-time deputy for the Ashland County Sheriff's Department. He is survived by his wife and two sons.