Everything in this story is true, as hilarious as it may sound.
Here’s the LA Times article, and here’s the National Wild Turkey Federation’s opinion (posted at landscapearchitecht.com, because I couldn’t find NWTF’s original article).
Okay, killing turkeys in Yosemite didn’t earn me a congressional complaint, but the incident mentioned in the LA Times and pictured above was added to a congressional complaint. Certain individuals (aka “suspects”) living in the community were unhappy with my proactive and highly successful law enforcement abilities.
I was dubbed “hot fuzz” (I love that movie) because I look a little like Simon Peg.
After I responded to a medical aid at the hotel*, “JM” (see the LA Times article) told me he filed the complaint and recommended that I be more like Andy Griffith and less like Barney Fife. I’m not making this up; ask Mark Marschall.
*Law Enforcement Park Rangers are frequently EMTs or (as I was) ‘ParkMedics’.
Rumor had it “JM” was “gonna’ get rid of” or “gonna’ take care of” me. It didn’t work. I was cleared of any wrong doing. Regarding complaints, Tony Bennink, a PD Lieutenant friend once told me “the first one is always the hardest.” He was right. Fortunately the supervisor responsible for investigating the complaint was standing on the hotel porch with me the night I was called “Barney Fife.”
After the LA Times article, I even received “hate mail.” I love how forthright children are. These cheer me up every time I read them.
Was it stressful at the time? Yes. Twenty years later does it matter at all? N, except for the fact that I can look back at it all and laugh. For this I am thankful.
Lessons learned?
Don’t let suspects take pictures of you!
No, really, the lesson is to keep your bearing with your moral compass, and then you can be confident in your decisions and actions. This is a path to resilience.
