A Tribute to National Park Ranger Margaret Anderson

Mt. Rainier National Park Ranger Margaret Anderson was slain by Benjamin Colton Barnes on New Year's Day. Barnes had fled into the park to avoid capture following a previous shooting incident near Seattle.

Barnes had blown through a chain saftey checkpoint at Longmire and fired shots at those that attempted to stop him. Officers then radioed ahead to Anderson who was located about ten miles ahead up the mountain. When when she encountered Barnes her shot her dead with a shotgun while seated in his car at point blank range.

Barnes then ran off into the snow and a massive manhunt followed. Barnes then died of thermal exposure during the first night of the search and the body was removed the following morning.

Ranger Anderson was 34 years old and leaves behind two small children and her husband. She was a graduate of the University of Kansas and held a Master's Degree in Biology. She had previously served as a park ranger in California.

Anderson's death has cast a pale over many people. Margaret will be remembered as a person to gave her life to protect others.

There is more to the story if anyone choses to read about it.

To me it illustrates an increasing sicknesss within the human soul but there are among us those that make the supreme sacrifice to save others. I can think of no higher calling.