United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service, U.S. Government
End of Watch Tuesday, July 23, 1996
Add to My HeroesJames Randall Morgenson
Park Ranger James (Randy) Morgenson drowned after being swept over a waterfall while on a backcountry patrol in the Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, California. Other rangers began to search for him after he failed to check in with dispatch at the regular time following the first day of the patrol.
Despite an exhaustive search, his remains were not found until July 2001, nearly five years after he went missing. The investigation indicated that he likely fell through a snow drift and broke his leg while crossing a creek, dying of associated injuries and hypothermia. His remains were washed down the creek and into a small cascade where they were hidden in the rocks for years.
Ranger Morgenson had served with the National Park Service for 27 years. He was survived by his wife.
Bio
- Age 51
- Tour 27 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Drowned
- Location California
Most Recent Reflection
View all 47 ReflectionsI have just finished the book, The Last Season, about Ranger Morgenson. How very sad. He lived an amazing life, the way he wanted for the most part and that is a joyous thing. Living among the beauty of our planet, respectful and reverential, he truly was such an amazing man. RIP Ranger Morgenson and I hope you are hiking the beauty of heaven. 12/15/2020
Not an officer
None
December 15, 2020
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