The Gun Counter

Because you NEVER know what you're going to run into (from today's NPS Morning Report):

Law Enforcement and Emergency Services
Remembering Ranger Bob McGhee

This week marked the 20th anniversary of the death of park ranger Robert McGhee, who was killed in the line of duty while on a traffic stop at Gulf Islands National Seashore on May 26, 1990.

McGhee had unknowingly pulled over two escaped felons for running a stop sign. When he approached their vehicle, they shot and killed him. The two men were later apprehended and sentenced to life in prison.

As a result of his death, the National Park Service called for the purchase and wearing of bulletproof vests for all law enforcement officers.

In his memory, a portion of Hanley Road within park’s Davis Bayou area will be renamed Robert McGhee Road. The park is working with his family to schedule a dedication ceremony to officially rename the road.

Please take a moment to remember his sacrifice and those of the other 25 park rangers who have been killed in the line of duty.
[Submitted by Sarah Davis]

It's sad that it takes the death of someone to get the government to act to protect their own personnel or its citizens for that matter (I know of several intersections which took several fatalities before they *finally* put in signal lights or barriers to control the traffic after people died.

Believe me, it takes a LOT out of you when you have to notify someone that their loved one(s) have died in an accident (usually EASILY preventable). There have been times when I was FAR more affected by the emotions of the family survivors instead of dealing with the dead and injured themselves from the actual accident/incident.

Grief notifications can TEAR YOU UP.

I have never once doubted that the stops are VERY dangerous.