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Philip K. Mason
Incident
District Wildlife Manager Philip Mason was killed when a 1,000-pound rolled bail of hay fell on him while it was being loaded into a truck in the Gunnison State Wildlife Area.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:00 pm but was not discovered until almost 10:30 pm.
Manager Mason was the most senior wildlife officer in the state and had served with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife Division for 38 years.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- 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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Tributes
38 years. You could have gone home.
District Wildlife Manager Mason gave the Colorado Department of Natural Resources 38 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Montrose community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, District Wildlife Manager Mason.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Colorado Department of Natural Resources - Parks and Wildlife Division has lost 3 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Philip is one of 101 officers lost to accidents in CO, 28% of the 361 remembered there.
Philip is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Philip 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 2001, 4 officers in CO were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2001, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2001, 89 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Philip was 60. Of the 79 lost to accidents in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Philip had served 38 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Philip was 60. 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. Philip had served 38 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Philip was 60. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Philip had served 38 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 11.9% of these deaths in CO; July holds the most, 11.9%. Mondays: 16.8%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Colorado Department of Natural Resources - Parks and Wildlife Division.
Accident deaths account for 28% of all 361 deaths in CO, 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
Colorado Department of Natural Resources - Parks and Wildlife Division has 3 officers remembered here, Philip among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Colorado Department of Natural Resources - Parks and Wildlife Division are honored on badge.nw.
