DCNR Ranger Memorial Wall

     The DCNR Ranger Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall honors fallen DCNR Rangers by permanently recording and commemorating their service and sacrifice to the Citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  These DCNR Rangers have given the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the Commonwealth and its citizens.  

Line of Duty Deaths

1932 - 2023

Officer Anthony "Rico" Freitas

AGENCY

Known At The Time As:

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources - DER

Bureau of State Parks

Now Known As:

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - DCNR

Bureau of State Parks

End of Watch: Tuesday, November 17, 1992

Age 42

Tour 16 Years

Badge Not Available

Officer Anthony Freitas drowned when his patrol car crashed into the Presque Isle Marina channel in Presque Isle State Park.

A search was initiated after he failed to answer radio calls and report back to the department at the end of his shift. Other officers located tire tracks near the water and the U.S. Coast Guard began to search for the vehicle near the spot.

They located the vehicle 45 minutes later and it was pulled from the water shortly thereafter.

Officer Freitas has served with the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks for 16 years. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, and son.

Patrolman George B. Kruth

AGENCY

Known At The Time As:

The Pennsylvania State Park and Harbor Commission of Erie

Now Known As:

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - DCNR

Bureau of State Parks

End of Watch: Tuesday, September 16, 1932

Age 25

Tour - Not Available

Badge - Not Available

Patrolman George Kruth and Patrolman William Paradine were killed, respectively, on Tuesday, September 15 and 16, 1932 when their patrol motorcycles collided head-on on a sharp curve on the Peninsula Highway in Wateworks Park (modern day Presque Isle State Park) while responding to an emergency call.

Patrolman George Kruth succumbed to his injuries the following day, on September 16, 1932.

Patrolman Kruth was survived by his wife.

Patrolman William Donald Paradine

AGENCY

Known At The Time As:

The Pennsylvania State Park and Harbor Commission of Erie

Now Known As:

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - DCNR

Bureau of State Parks

End of Watch: Tuesday, September 15, 1932

Age 23

Tour - 3 Months

Badge - Not Available

Patrolman George Kruth and Patrolman William Paradine were killed, respectively, on Tuesday, September 15 and 16, 1932 when their patrol motorcycles collided head-on on a sharp curve on the Peninsula Highway in Wateworks Park (modern day Presque Isle State Park) while responding to an emergency call.

Patrolman William Paradine succumbed to his injuries on-scene on September 15, 1932.
The accident occurred on Patrolman Paradine's last day as a seasonal police officer for the park before returning to Princeton University as a student.

Patrolman Paradine was single at the time of his death.