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Gale H. Wilcox
Incident
District Ranger Gale Wilcox and Park Ranger John Fonda, along with the Assistant Chief Ranger, were on back country patrol on cross-country skis in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. The three came upon the Snake River, which had frozen over, and judged that it was safe to cross. The Assistant Chief Ranger began to cross first, followed by Ranger Wilcox and Ranger Fonda. Ranger Fonda had made it only 15-feet from shore when the ice broke and he fell into the river. Ranger Wilcox, who could not swim, immediately belly-crawled to Ranger Fonda's position to try to reach him with ski pole. The Assistant Chief Ranger also went to the location to help also. The ice then cracked and the other two rangers fell into the river. The Assistant Chief Ranger was able to remove his skis and then tried to remove the skis of the other rangers but was unsuccessful. He then climbed out of the water. He was able to pull Ranger Wilcox out of the water but Ranger Fonda, who was still treading water with his skis on, went under and did not resurface. Ranger Wilcox was suffering from severe hypothermia and was unable to move or speak. The Assistant Chief Ranger, who was also suffering from hypothermia, immediately set out for the nearest ranger station to radio for help and medical supplies. When rescue workers arrived at the scene they found that Ranger Wilcox had passed away from exposure. Ranger Wilcox was posthumously awarded a Citation of Valor from the Department of the Interior and the Bronze Medal from the Carnegie Hero Commission for his efforts to save Ranger Fonda. The Assistant Chief Ranger was also awarded the Citation of Valor. Ranger Wilcox had been with the agency for 24 years.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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24 years. You could have gone home.
District Ranger Wilcox gave the United States Department of the Interior 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, District Ranger Wilcox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service has lost 40 officers; 28 of them lost to accidents.
Gale is one of 453 officers lost to accidents in DC, 31.9% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Gale is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gale is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1960, 2 officers at United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1960, 8 officers in DC were lost to accidents, the 7th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 14.
In 1960, 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 1960, 89 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Gale was 48. Of the 28 lost to accidents at United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 35.5. Gale had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Gale was 48. Of the 425 lost to accidents in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gale had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Gale was 48. 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. Gale had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gale was 48. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Gale had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.1% of these deaths at United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service; July holds the most, 21.4%. Wednesdays: 25%.
March holds 10.2% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 10.6%. Wednesdays: 14.1%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 70% of all 40 deaths at United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service has 40 officers remembered here, Gale among them.
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Joseph E. Prince Jan 8, 1913
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Andrew Jack Gaylor
Apr 19, 1921
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James Alexander Cary
Mar 12, 1927
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Fred Johnson Feb 20, 1929
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Glen Sturdevant
Feb 20, 1929
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William Clair Godfrey, Sr.
Nov 17, 1930
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Norman Nelson Jul 29, 1934
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Kenneth Meenan
Aug 5, 1934
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Karl A. Jacobson
Nov 11, 1938
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Raymond A. Johnson
Oct 14, 1939
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Forest Sanford Townsley
Aug 11, 1943
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Frederick R. Bergemeyer
Aug 23, 1952
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Charles R. Scarborough Jun 21, 1954
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James Donald Vaughn
Apr 26, 1958
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John C. Fonda
Mar 9, 1960
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Gale H. Wilcox Mar 9, 1960
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Nathaniel R. Lacy Jun 23, 1966
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Robert D. Metherell
Feb 7, 1973
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Ronald Van Trussell
Feb 7, 1973
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Kenneth Carmel Patrick
Aug 5, 1973
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Thomas Kenneth Brown
Aug 31, 1973
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James Phillip Fleetwood
Jul 5, 1977
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Gregory Scott Burdine
Nov 26, 1977
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Ward W. Hall
Jul 16, 1979
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Duane P. McClure
May 22, 1980
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Robert Lewis McGhee, Jr.
May 26, 1990
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Robert E. Mahn, Jr.
Jan 17, 1994
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Ryan Francis Weltman
Jul 3, 1994
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James Randall Morgenson
Jul 23, 1996
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Michael A. Beaulieu
Aug 26, 1996
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Joseph David Kolodski
Jun 21, 1998
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Steve Renard Makuakane-Jarrell
Dec 12, 1999
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Kristopher William Eggle
Aug 9, 2002
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Thomas Patrick O'Hara
Dec 19, 2002
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Suzanne E. Roberts
Sep 14, 2004
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Jeffrey A. Christensen
Jul 29, 2005
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Christopher Nickel
Jan 29, 2011
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Julie Ann Weir
Feb 24, 2011
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Margaret A. Anderson
Jan 1, 2012
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Kevin Melvin Grossheim
Oct 6, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
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.
