Olympia ceremony honors Mount Rainier park ranger, four others
May 3, 2013, 2:29 PM | Updated: 4:26 pm
Margaret Anderson, the Mount Rainier park ranger killed by an armed man on New Year's Day last year, is among five law enforcement officers recognized for their service and sacrifice. (AP image)
(AP image)
The Mount Rainier park ranger, killed by an armed man on New Year’s Day last year, is among five law enforcement officers recognized for their service and sacrifice.
Margaret Anderson tried to stop an armed man at a roadblock inside the park on Jan. 1, 2012.
“Her actions that morning prevented a violent and heavily armed individual from reaching Paradise, and averted potential catastrophe,” said Mount Rainier National Park Superintendent Randy King at a ceremony on the state capitol campus Friday.
Benjamin Barnes was wanted for a shooting in Seattle when he drove through a checkpoint, staffed by Anderson, near Longmire.
King told the crowd that she exemplified a commitment to a larger purpose. “Something larger than self, U.S. Park Ranger Margaret Anderson’s life and her work on behalf of our national parks did serve great purpose.”
The law enforcement Medal of Honor ceremony also honored four other officers for meritorious conduct, including deputies Michael Northway and Joseph Spink, from the Spokane County Sheriff’s office and officers Ryan Moody and Jon Waller, with Lakewood police.
The Medal of Honor is given to officers killed in the line of duty or for exceptionally meritorious conduct.
Anderson’s name was engraved this week at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
