James Alexander Cary
Incident
Park Ranger James Cary was shot and killed when he was ambushed by bootleggers on West Mountain in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. His body was discovered the next day by other rangers.
Survivors
Ranger Cary was survived by his wife, 5-year-old son, and 8-month-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmqfpx30dzvf1n5a33sd- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Park Ranger Cary gave the United States Department of the Interior 4 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Park Ranger Cary.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service has lost 40 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 754 officers killed feloniously in DC, 53.1% of the 1,419 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 1 officer at United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1927, 14 officers in DC were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 159 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 20.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 31. Of the 8 killed feloniously at United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 41.8; the middle age was 35. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
James was 31. Of the 580 killed feloniously in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
James was 31. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 12.5% of these deaths at United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service; August holds the most, 25%. Saturdays: 25%.
March holds 7% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 11.7%. Saturdays: 13%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 20% of all 40 deaths at United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.1% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 35% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service has 40 officers remembered here, James among them.
-
Joseph E. Prince Jan 8, 1913
-
Andrew Jack Gaylor
Apr 19, 1921
-
James Alexander Cary
Mar 12, 1927
-
Fred Johnson Feb 20, 1929
-
Glen Sturdevant
Feb 20, 1929
-
William Clair Godfrey, Sr.
Nov 17, 1930
-
Norman Nelson Jul 29, 1934
-
Kenneth Meenan
Aug 5, 1934
-
Karl A. Jacobson
Nov 11, 1938
-
Raymond A. Johnson
Oct 14, 1939
-
Forest Sanford Townsley
Aug 11, 1943
-
Frederick R. Bergemeyer
Aug 23, 1952
-
Charles R. Scarborough Jun 21, 1954
-
James Donald Vaughn
Apr 26, 1958
-
John C. Fonda
Mar 9, 1960
-
Gale H. Wilcox Mar 9, 1960
-
Nathaniel R. Lacy Jun 23, 1966
-
Robert D. Metherell
Feb 7, 1973
-
Ronald Van Trussell
Feb 7, 1973
-
Kenneth Carmel Patrick
Aug 5, 1973
-
Thomas Kenneth Brown
Aug 31, 1973
-
James Phillip Fleetwood
Jul 5, 1977
-
Gregory Scott Burdine
Nov 26, 1977
-
Ward W. Hall
Jul 16, 1979
-
Duane P. McClure
May 22, 1980
-
Robert Lewis McGhee, Jr.
May 26, 1990
-
Robert E. Mahn, Jr.
Jan 17, 1994
-
Ryan Francis Weltman
Jul 3, 1994
-
James Randall Morgenson
Jul 23, 1996
-
Michael A. Beaulieu
Aug 26, 1996
-
Joseph David Kolodski
Jun 21, 1998
-
Steve Renard Makuakane-Jarrell
Dec 12, 1999
-
Kristopher William Eggle
Aug 9, 2002
-
Thomas Patrick O'Hara
Dec 19, 2002
-
Suzanne E. Roberts
Sep 14, 2004
-
Jeffrey A. Christensen
Jul 29, 2005
-
Christopher Nickel
Jan 29, 2011
-
Julie Ann Weir
Feb 24, 2011
-
Margaret A. Anderson
Jan 1, 2012
-
Kevin Melvin Grossheim
Oct 6, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
39 officers from United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.















