National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Officer Rank: National Park Ranger

Memorial Panel: 55-W: 23

Department: U.S. Dept. of the Interior, National Park Service

End of Watch: July 22, 1996

Cause: FALL

Age: 51

Years of Service: 18

Description: Ranger Morgenson disappeared while on an extended 4 day backcountry patrol. The last radio contact with Ranger Morgenson was at his routine 24 hour daily radio status check to headquarters on July 20, 1996. The National Park Service initiated a search of Ranger Morgenson on July 23, 1996 with helicopters and search dogs but Ranger Morgenson was not located. After a year the National Park Service declared him deceased. On July 15, 2001, 4 off duty crew members hiking in the area found human remains in a stream drainage. Dental records identified the remains to be Ranger Morgenson. Ranger Morgenson fell to his death as he attempted to cross a stream.