U.S. Air Force · United States 
Beau William Sauselein
1981
Beau W. Sauselein served the U.S. Air Force for 4 years. Beau served in the Vietnam War and the Cold War.
How He Died
Manner
Accident
Cause
Multiple traumatic injuries
Fire
What Happened
Location: Florida
Incident Date: Monday, June 8, 1981
Refuge Officer Beau Sauselein was killed in a wildfire on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, two miles south of the NASA industrial area at State Road 3 and Kennedy Parkway.
Officer Sauselein and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biological technician were clearing fire lanes with a bulldozer as part of fire suppression activities when a squall with high winds and lightning suddenly hit the area, igniting additional fires. Both men abandoned the bulldozer and attempted to outrun the flames. Additional firefighters who responded to the area located them a few hundred yards from the bulldozer suffering severe burns.
They were both transported to Jess Parrish Memorial Hospital where the technician died of his injuries. Officer Sauselien was flown to Shands Teaching Hospital in Gainesville, where he died the following morning.
Officer Sauselein had served with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for six years.
Incident Date: Monday, June 8, 1981
Refuge Officer Beau Sauselein was killed in a wildfire on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, two miles south of the NASA industrial area at State Road 3 and Kennedy Parkway.
Officer Sauselein and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biological technician were clearing fire lanes with a bulldozer as part of fire suppression activities when a squall with high winds and lightning suddenly hit the area, igniting additional fires. Both men abandoned the bulldozer and attempted to outrun the flames. Additional firefighters who responded to the area located them a few hundred yards from the bulldozer suffering severe burns.
They were both transported to Jess Parrish Memorial Hospital where the technician died of his injuries. Officer Sauselien was flown to Shands Teaching Hospital in Gainesville, where he died the following morning.
Officer Sauselein had served with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
Service Record
U.S. Air Force
1969 – 1973
Conflicts
Vietnam War
Cold War
Also Served
United States Department of the Interior - Fish and Wildlife Service - Division of Refuge Law Enforcement
Refuge Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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