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Rudolf Emil Mellenthin
Incident
Forest Ranger Rudolf Mellenthin was shot and killed when he and two San Juan County, Utah, deputies tried to arrest an Army deserter at Pine Bluff in the La Sal National Forest. When the officers located the man at a campsite Ranger Mellenthin advised him he was under arrest. The man appeared to cooperate but suddenly raised his rifle and shot Ranger Mellenthin twice at a range of only five feet. A friend of the suspect also opened fire, striking Ranger Mellenthin once in the chest. Although mortally wounded, Ranger Mellenthin was able to return fire and wounded the suspect. The two deputies went for backup and a large posse was sent to the site. The two men were apprehended and charged with murder in Grand County after receiving a change of venue. The original suspect was sentenced to life but paroled after only six years. The second suspect was convicted but later had his conviction overturned. Ranger Mellenthin had served with the United States Forest Service for nine years and had previously served with the German army.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children and is buried in Grand Valley Cemetery, Moab, Utah.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Forest Ranger Mellenthin gave the United States Department of Agriculture 9 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Rudolf Emil Mellenthin served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations has lost 9 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Rudolf is one of 754 officers killed feloniously in DC, 53.1% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Rudolf is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Rudolf is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1918, 1 officer at United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1918, 6 officers in DC were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 159 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 20.
In 1918, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1918, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Rudolf was 34. Of the 6 killed feloniously at United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations whose age is recorded, half were between 36.3 and 40.3; the middle age was 37.5. Rudolf had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
Rudolf was 34. Of the 580 killed feloniously in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36. Rudolf had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Rudolf was 34. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Rudolf had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rudolf was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Rudolf had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 16.7% of these deaths at United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations; March holds the most, 33.3%. Fridays: 33.3%.
August holds 9.2% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 11.7%. Fridays: 16.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 9 deaths at United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.1% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 10.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations has 9 officers remembered here, Rudolf among them.
Where
Military Service
Rudolf Emil Mellenthin served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Rudolf Emil Mellenthin’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations are honored on badge.nw.
