Game Warden Walter K. Krukow

Walter K. Krukow

Game Warden Walter Krukow was shot and killed from ambush by a 17-year-old boy who was trout fishing on Boulder Creek north of Whiskeytown.

The boy and a friend had gone to the area to trout fish before the season opened. The man dropped the boy off and then drove further up the creek to another spot. Game Warden Krukow gave the boy a warning and told him he was going to find the friend as well.

The boy walked back to man's home, retrieved a .30-06 rifle, and then drove back to find creek. He located Game Warden Krukow and shot him from ambush as he walked along the creek. When he rejoined the man he told him that he had shot Game Warden Krukow so he would arrest the man. The man drove the boy to the sheriff's office and turned him in.

The boy was convicted of second-degree murder on June 4th, 1947. On December 12th, 1972, he was booked in Washoe County, Nevada, for an investigation of three counts of arson.

Game Warden Krukow had served with the agency for 10 years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.