Christopher Nickel
Incident
Park Ranger Chris Nickel passed away while patrolling the Square Tower Ruin Trail at Hovenweep National Monument in San Juan County, Utah.
A hiker discovered Ranger Nickel collapsed on the trail and immediately rushed to the visitor center to request assistance. Paramedics from Colorado, Utah and a medical helicopter from New Mexico responded but Ranger Nickel was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ranger Nickel had served with the National Park Service for 16 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and parents.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Park Ranger Nickel gave the United States Department of the Interior 16 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Park Ranger Nickel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service has lost 40 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
Christopher is one of 137 officers lost to illness in DC, 9.7% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2011, 2 officers in DC were lost to illness, the 12th heaviest of 25 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 45.
In 2011, 23 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 15th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2011, 28 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 14th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Christopher was 54. Of the 136 lost to illness in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 56.3; the middle age was 51. Christopher had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 19 years.
Christopher was 54. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Christopher had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Christopher was 54. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Christopher had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
January holds 9.5% of these deaths in DC; October holds the most, 13.9%. Saturdays: 18.2%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Saturdays: 13.9%.
January holds 9.9% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Saturdays: 14.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 2.5% of all 40 deaths at United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service, the 4th most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 9.7% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service has 40 officers remembered here, Christopher 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 57-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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