Officer Down Memorial Page

BOB IT HAS BEEN 21 YEARS SINCE YOU WERE TAKEN FROM MY LIFE. THERE IS NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT I DON'T THINK OF YOU AND WONDER HOW ARE LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN NOW. WE HAVE THREE BEAUTIFUL GRAND CHILDREN AND A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER. SADLY OUR SON WAS TAKEN FROM US. WE ALL MISS YOU SO MUCH. WE HAD SO MANY BEAUTIFUL YEARS TOGETHER. KARLA AND I ARE SO PROUD TO SEE THE MANY WAYS YOU HAVE BEEN HONORED . YOUR DEATH BROUGHT MANY CHANGES IN THE PROGRAMS AND TRAINING OF PARK RANGERS. I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH THE YEARS WE HAD TOGETHER AND WISH THAT IT HAD BEEN MANY MORE. YOUR LOVING WIFE LINDA

LINDA MCGHEE CANNON
WIDOW
May 23, 2011

Just located this site and wish to comment on Bob as a great person and caring ranger. It is now 20 years later and I am retired and reflect on how forunate I am to survive. I knew Bob as a co-worker and friend and still think about the day this happened. I have worked with personally 3 out of 4 rangers that were shot and killed being Bob, Joe Kolodski and Chris Eggle and realize the sacrifice they have given more so than one knows. Their sacrifice made others safe as the thugs responsible are in prison to protect other innocent people although I am in avor of the death penalty for these thugs.

Park Ranger Jerry Grubb
National Park Service
March 28, 2010

I have returned, as an Instructor, to the place where I first met Bob, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. There isn't a week that goes by when I don't think of my classmate. I recently had a street sign made and posted it, in the woodlands where we train. It is called "McGhee's Path." RIP, Bob. I miss you, and pray for your family.

D. D'Ercole, Sup Special Agent (Retired)
US Forest Service
March 9, 2010

Bob,
The 20 year anniversary is coming up and your family misses you as much now as on the morning of 26 May 1990.
Your grandson, your pride and joy, turns 20 on September 12th. He was just a baby when this happened, but he knows how much you loved him. He writes, plays music and sings. He hopes to write an article for the Ocean Springs Record that covers the events of that day. He is trying to arrange interviews with the accused but he is not sure if it will be allowed.
You also have 2 granddaughters that are both teenagers. I can only speak for mine, she misses you immensely and never had the chance to know you. She will look at the scrapbook that Karla made of you and get teary eyed. You would love her so much.
I retired from the Air Force in 2000 and joined the Ocean Springs Police Department. It was hard to get Karla and Linda to allow it. In November 2006 I went to Biloxi. I think of you often and it reminds me of how fragile life can be. You kiss your wife and loved ones good bye and tell them you will see them at the end of your shift, always knowing in the back of your mind, this could be your last shift.
I pray that you will watch over me while I'm on my shift. This family has endured enough pain.

J. D. Owens
Biloxi Police Department/Son in law
August 10, 2009

Ranger McGhee,
Sir, On today, the 19th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
May 26, 2009

Thank you Ranger McGhee for your courage and service to our country. May your name and memory be everlasting.

Lieutenant
Dept. of Defense, Retired
December 9, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
March 27, 2008

TO THE MCGHEE FAMILY;
I WAS SOMEWHAT A NEW OFFICER OF THE OCEAN SPRINGS DEPT. AT THE TIME OF YOUR LOSS. I KNEW RANGER MCGHEE AND THOUGHT THAT HE WAS SO UNDESERVING OF WHAT HAPPEN. HE WAS A GOOD MAN AND GOOD RANGER. I'M KNEW TO OBSERVING ODMP AND I'M SADDEN THE POLICE FAMILY HASN'T ALREADY GIVEN A REFLECTION. I STILL THINK ABOUT THE LOSS OF RANGER MCGHEE WHEN I PASS THE MONUMENT PLACED IN THE PARK IN HIS REMEMBERANCE. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BE WITH THE MCGHEE FAMILY

PTN. G. DAVID COLE
PASCAGOULA PD.
August 30, 2006

Park Ranger Bob McGhee watched over all of us who were stationed on the Islands, checking in on us as we patrolled, calling out if he hadn't heard from us for a while. He met us at the boat dock, always had a smile and a story to share and knew what was happening all over the Gulf Coast. He was probably killed because he knew his murderers and wasn't suspicious of their being in the Park, where Bob had worked with both of them years ago in conservation programs. Bob - - you were a good friend and a thoughtful partner, and we all miss you still. Through your death, you taught a lot of us Rangers to be vigilant. Wish we could have learned this lesson some other way.

Former NPS Ranger
October 16, 2005

I was shocked back then to hear of Bob's tragic murder in the line of duty. I knew him casually from training together when I was an NPS LE ranger at Gulf Islands in FL (and then transferred.) Here are my belated condolences to his family, friends, adn co-workers. I remember him as a good person and a hero.

MaryPat King
U.S. Forest Service, Forests in Florida
September 17, 2004

Although I did not know Park Ranger Robert Lewis McGhee Jr. I am very sad to hear what happened to him.

God Bless.

July 29, 2004

Rest in peace, you served us well.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

A member of the green n gray family has had their time cut short. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Ranger McGhee. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.
Rest in peace for your watch here is over.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

Ranger Bob McGhee of the Gulf Islands National Seashore:
a hero who stopped two escaped fugitives, for a traffic offense. A hero who was shot and left to die on the side of the road, by two escaped cons who had no remorse. Ranger Mcghee is and always will be a hero who gave his life for the NPS. The convicts were soon convicts again and got "Life in Prison." But one of them broke out of Parchmen Pennitentiary in the year 2000 and went on a violent multi-state crime spree. More heroes in Indiana had to risk their lives again; these brother law enforcement officers caught up to him and put him away again, but only after shots were fired (again). No heroes were killed this time. This is the best example I know of why the death penalty should be a requirement for the felonious murder of any law enforcement officer. Bob, do you agree? I know you do.

Anonymous

Bob, I can still remember the shock on the day when we were told of your death. I spoke to Todd, my former partner who was first on the scene with you and couldnt help but feel that things were different now. We hadn't lost a brother to gunfire in almost 20 years, and I think we all felt a little less invincible. Your murder changed things in the department for the better, from field agents all the way up, and we continue to make progress for you in our officer safety programs. God bless, US PARK RANGERS: THE LAW OF THE LAND.

US Park Ranger
National Park Service