Ranger Harmon O. Schwoob

Harmon O. Schwoob

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. He then pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to a short prison term.

Ranger Schwoob was survived by his wife.