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James Royce Pitney
Incident
Park Ranger James Pitney was killed when a large piece of a tree fell and struck him on the head as he walked beneath a worker in a tree-topping bucket.
The work crew was topping the tree at a campground at Charles Mill Lake when the accident occurred. Ranger Pitney was transported to MedCentral-Mansfield Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Ranger Pitney was a US Air Force veteran. In addition to being a park ranger, he also served as a part-time deputy for the Ashland County Sheriff's Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp8memdkcqk0as3jqf54- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. James is one person.
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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.
Park Ranger Pitney gave the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Philadelphia community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Royce Pitney served in the U.S. Air Force (1971â1991) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
James is the only officer of Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District remembered here.
James is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
James is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2002, 1 officer in OH was lost to accidents, the 76th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
In 2002, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2002, 91 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 35th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 50. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. James had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 50. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. James had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 50. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 8.8% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Tuesdays: 15%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District.
Accident deaths account for 32.1% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Military Service
James Royce Pitney served in the U.S. Air Force (1971–1991) before joining law enforcement.
Visit James Royce Pitney’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 17-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District are honored on badge.nw.