U.S. Air Force · United States 
Michael Staples
2002
Michael Lee Staples served the U.S. Air Force for 3 years. Michael also served in the U.S. Air Force.
How He Died
Manner
Accident
Cause
Multiple traumatic injuries
What Happened
Officer Michael Staples was killed when his patrol vehicle collided with a deer that had just been struck by another vehicle on County Road 27, near County Road 20, in Beltrami County, Minnesota at 7:30 a.m.
After being struck by the first vehicle, the deer was thrown into the air and went through the windshield of Officer Staples' patrol truck. He was on patrol in the Chippewa National Forest's Cass Ranger District near Bemidji at the time.
Officer Staples was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the U.S. Forest Service for 8 years.
After being struck by the first vehicle, the deer was thrown into the air and went through the windshield of Officer Staples' patrol truck. He was on patrol in the Chippewa National Forest's Cass Ranger District near Bemidji at the time.
Officer Staples was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the U.S. Forest Service for 8 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
Service Record
U.S. Air Force
1987 – 1990
U.S. Air Force
Also Served
United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations
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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