United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service, U.S. Government
End of Watch: Saturday, January 29, 2011
Age: 54
Tour of Duty: 16 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Duty related illness
Date of Incident: January 29, 2011
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Park Ranger Chris Nickel passed away while patrolling the Square Tower Ruin Trail at Hovenweep National Monument in San Juan County, Utah.
A hiker discovered Ranger Nickel collapsed on the trail and immediately rushed to the visitor center to request assistance. Paramedics from Colorado, Utah and a medical helicopter from New Mexico responded but Ranger Nickel was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ranger Nickel had served with the National Park Service for 16 years. He is survived by his wife and parents.