A park ranger saves a life

David Bergunzi

Assistant Park Manager, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park

When Metro Parks rangers make contact with visitors it is more often than not in a positive manner. But sometimes a ranger comes across someone experiencing some form of emergency, whether that might be a medical emergency, a vehicle accident or a mental health crisis. These are the times when the medical training that all Metro Parks rangers receive becomes beneficial and sometimes life saving.

Additional training comes when selected rangers attend the basic peace officer academy to prepare them to protect the parks and natural resources that we preserve. But, no amount of training can prepare a ranger or officer when someone is planning to conduct self harm. This is the scenario that Ranger Nick Neumeier was faced with recently.

While on patrol at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park’s Osprey Lake, Ranger Neumeier encountered an individual who appeared to be sleeping in his vehicle, an encounter that is not totally outside the normal day to day encounter. However, while attempting to make contact with the individual, the normal tactic of raising his voice in an attempt to wake him was not successful. At this point Ranger Neumeier exited his vehicle to get closer to see if they were breathing and they were. But during the approach Ranger Neumeier observed a firearm clenched in the unconscious visitor’s hand. The individual had taken a mixture of illicit and prescription drugs in an attempt to take their own life.

With numerous park visitors in the area and with the safety of others in mind, Ranger Neumeier began to clear out the area for their safety and asked for Emergency Medical Services to be sent to his location. As the medics arrived on scene they could not work on the individual until the firearm was secured. This was the type of emergency where outside law enforcement was minutes away but seconds could be the difference between life and death. Ranger Neumeier was able to remove the firearm so that the medics could perform life-saving measures on the individual, ultimately preventing a tragic loss of life.

The bravery and quick decisive action that Ranger Neumeier took during this emergency demonstrates the highest level of professionalism. The role of the park ranger is not for everyone, and this is why so much care and attention is given to selecting the right person to fill the ranger positions when they come available. Someone who demonstrates the ability to balance personal safety, public safety, and operational objectives while making sound, timely decisions in dynamic and often high-risk situations.

Ranger Neumeier exemplified this competency by rapidly evaluating the risks to himself and others and taking decisive, calculated action to preserve life. His actions reflected the difficult balance park rangers must maintain between ensuring their own safety and fulfilling their duty to protect those facing immediate danger, while maintaining accountability, sound judgment, and situational awareness throughout the incident.

Because of Ranger Neumeier’s courage and decisive action, the Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District has chosen to honor him with a plaque. Ultimately, we, along with many others, are thankful that Ranger Neumeier was on patrol that evening and was able to help save the life of a stranger when faced with a very difficult incident.

See Nick’s Behind the Parks interview from July 2022

OTHER RANGER NEWS

At the June board meeting at Bank Run Metro Park, recently retired ranger Kevin Oldaker was recognized for his 37 years of service at Metro Parks, and three rangers were sworn-in as commissioned peace officer by Executive Director Tim Moloney. In the photo below, Kevin is seen holding his commemorative plaque, with his wife alongside him. The rangers swearing the oath, left to right, are Gabriel Hudson (Blacklick Woods), Tony Jackson and Amanda Sugerik (Quarry Trails), with Metro Parks Executive Director Tim Molony administering the oath.