Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Margaret,
May your sacrifice and courage be remembered by all. Your children will know you took on a job that was one of selflessness and bravery and ultimately paid with your life for protecting society. RIP - from a fellow female police officer!

Agent
UT

January 13, 2012

Ranger Anderson,

First I offer my condolences to your family and friends.

I did not know you. However I’m certain throughout your career as a NPS Ranger you wore the “Stetson” with honor and pride. On January 1, 2012 you bore its burden, no doubt, with grace and bravery.

Whenever I don mine I will remember you and the reason why this simple hat means so much to so many. As a Ranger you served to inspire and educate generations of park visitors to love and care for the park like you loved it. And as a Ranger you willingly faced various dangers, natural or human, in order to protect complete strangers. A Ranger like you makes me proud again to be a Ranger. I am humbled to be working in the same profession as you and I only hope that I will bring as much honor to the Stetson as you have done.

Rest in peace.

Supervising Ranger R. Blackburn
California State Parks

January 12, 2012

Our condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of this officer.
Rest in peace sister.....

Officer Brewer-Retired
KPD (Washington State)

January 12, 2012

Rest in Peace, Praying for the family and friends...

Cpl. Grantham

January 12, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of this brave officer. Rest in Peace.

Sheriff Ray Foster
Buchanan County Sheriff's Office

January 11, 2012

The Final Inspection

The Police Officer stood and faced God,
Whose time shall always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, you policeman,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
So if you don't, I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the police officer waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

~Author Unknown~

Officer Essick
Elgin

January 11, 2012

Margaret,

We’ve been grieving since we learned of this tragedy, and any words we can compose do not seem to properly express our gratitude to you and your family. This one really hurts.

There have been three other names added to this page since your selfless sacrifice and there will be undoubtedly be more this year. I only wish our words were eloquent enough to express our remorse and gratitude, as this is an impossible task.

Margaret’s actions along with other law enforcement and first responders, undoubtedly, saved lives on that dreadful day.

We all sit in comfort because of your warrior efforts to keep people like your murderer from inflicting harm to other innocent people that day. As others have stated there is no tactical defense for the madness you faced.... the absolute worst....but you did so unwavering....fearless and honorably. We all could wish to face great evil as fearlessly as you did.

Our little girls, not much younger than yours, 2 months and 2 years will rest knowing that a warrior answered the call in the face of danger to protect others.

Our national parks are our nation’s best idea, best places and resources and the fact that people like you were willing to protect that ideal that is amazing.

God bless all rangers and the work you do. The sheepdog protecting the flock. Our daughters will always know of your valiant heroism.

Our family sleeps well tonight knowing people like Margaret are on the watch, from the city to the parks, god bless rangers and other police everywhere.

Ranger Margaret Anderson helped save who knows how many innocent lives that that day. Our family will never forget that. While nothing we can write can be of any condolence to the surviving family, know that your warrior mother saved other innocent lives and allowed future generations to benefit from Margaret’s sacrifice and live their lives.

We are in no denial that your mother’s actions saved lives and allowed others to live that horrible day, there is nothing more honorable than that.

Eric and the girls, live bravely and love without fear.

Our family will honor your loss and sacrifice forever. Our deepest sympathies.

Vox clamantis en deserto....one love....

From grateful citizens

JE

January 11, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers go out to NPS/PR Anderson's family, friends, and co-workers. We learned that she was the niece to a family cousin. May she Rest In Peace.

K.H. & J.A., SSA & Dist. Dirctr.(Ret'd.)
U.S. DOJ/DHS, INS/ICE & CIS

January 11, 2012

You will be missed and NEVER forgotten.

Park Ranger
National Park Service

January 11, 2012

I had the honor of attending your memorial today. Though we never met, I learned a lot about you through your co-workers, family and friends. I wish I could have known you. You will be forever missed and never forgotten. May we live our lives according to the high standards that you set and maintained. Rest now sister. Thank you for your service.

E. Cowan
Swinomish Police, WA

January 11, 2012

How Tragic, how sad...to the entire Anderson family and friends, many condolences from your fellow members of service here in New York. There isn't any way to put a positive light on such tragedy, other than to say God must have needed an Angel and choose Ranger Anderson to fulfill that job. May all who learned of this tragedy remember the risk our law enforcement are at when they are out serving to protect us! God Bless Ranger Anderson, her husband, children and family....

PSD
New York State

January 11, 2012

To Margaret's family, Our son and wife and little 4 year old boy headed up the mountain that morning Jan. 1, with their new snowshoes, a Christmas gift, and also took a sled. Eli couldn't wait to get to Paradise, so they stopped further down the moutain, and saw a park vehicle drive very fast up the mountain, and wondered later if it maybe was her dear husband. We will never forget her. We have been Wash. residents, all of our lives, and I and both of our children all are alumni of Auburn Adventist Academy- our kids learned to ski at Paradise. Many times as I was in my dorm room at the academy; from 1964-1967 school years; I looked out my window twice a day and watched the mountain at sunrise, and at sunset, and my favorite Bible texts became the complete chapter of Psalm 121:1-8"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2-My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. 3-He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4-Behold,he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5- The Lord is thy keeper:the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. 6- The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. 7- The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 8- The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore." Verse 7 begs us to ask why? My mother was killed in a car accident, in 1984, simply because 2 counties near Coeur d'Alene Idaho fought over who was to sand the pass because it was on the county line. She hit the black ice and lived about 45 seconds. My father met withe the mayors of both counties before he came home,and suggested they share the expence for the rest of the winter, then flip a coin as to who would sand the pass the following winter, then take turns, every other winter. What a good idea, after years of accidents, there and many lives lost. A wonderful mother of 7, and grandma of 12. Why? My fathers parents died when he was 5, and 12. His mother first, when he was 5, and an only child. His father from having the sheets flipped on him because he was in the hospital in Alaska with shell shock , and they needed to make room for the wounded. He died of infection from a head injury. His mother had been on her way to a sanitarium for consumption,(tuberculosis) and died of a head injury from a stagecoach accident. Why? Why would God allow a crazy thoughtless man to leave 2 precious little girls without their dear mommy? "Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face." I watched Margaret's beautiful service today on TV and feel like I got to know her. I can't wait to meet her when Jesus returns to take us all to heaven. No More Heartache! I think God will have her stand by one of heaven's 12 beautiful gates, with her dear husband and the girls by her sides to hand out the rules of how to take care of the Heavenly Park!, and the dear animals we all love. We live in Sequim in the foothills of the Olympics, and how we respect our Olympic Park! We will think of her anytime we enter any of our parks, and pray for each of you when we do! God be near each of you, as you miss her and mourn deeply for her. Thank God for memories, may they somehow ease your pain... Our hearts go out to you and cry with you for her. Thank you for sharing her dear young life with us all today, probably the second hardest day of you life!

Marilyn and Jim McNamara
caring citizens, piano teacher/&retired teacher-now semi driver.

January 11, 2012

Dear Family and Friends of Margaret,
Margaret's story has really moved me as a citizen. I worked at Mt.Rainier's Guest Services during college and at that time started hiking, running trails and climbed the mountain when I was 19. Mt. Rainier is a special place to me. What can I say, Margaret will remain in my memory as a person who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. I pray that you will know God's comfort through this.

Citizen
Dee Kresge

January 11, 2012

Ranger Anderson, I pray that you are at peace. I did not attend your memorial service today ... opting for a more personal tribute to you and honoring your service. I went to the mountain and hiked along a river, then through the woods for a bit. I noticed that the clouds began to clear at about the same time that your memorial service started, and they continued to clear out until there was a beautiful sunset which cast a warm glow on the mountain. I spoke to you by the side of the river, and I hope my words reached you. I know you are in good company in Heaven, and that some of my friends will look after you ... as you all continue to look after us.

Police Officer
Tacoma, WA

January 10, 2012

Margaret Anderson we will be eternally grateful for you keeping us safe on New Year's Day. Thank you for your service & dedication. Your family & fellow Park Rangers will forever remain in our thoughts & prayers. You are our hero

Paradise Snowshoer on New Year's Day
Mt Rainier Park Visitor

January 10, 2012

Thank you for your service and dedication. Your family will remain in our prayers. May you rest in peace Margaret.

Special Agent
DSS

January 10, 2012

MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO ALL WHO MOURN THE LOSS OF RANGER ANDERSON. MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH THE LOVE OF HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, JESUS CHRIST. RANGER ANDERSON, YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

January 10, 2012

Margaret, since I first saw your picture on the news, I have been trying to remember where I know you from. I can't remember but, I am honored to have had the privilage to have met you. You are indeed a hero, a Ranger's Ranger, and will be truly missed.
Prayers to Eric and your daughters.

Kathy Korte, USFWS Refuge Officer
USFish & Wildlife (Previous NPS Ranger)

January 10, 2012

Deepest Sympathy To The Family And Friends Of Park Ranger Margaret Anderson .....Her Picture Says A Lot ....Someone That Not Only Loved Life But Also Had A Love For People ....I Know She Will Be Dearly Missed , By Her Husband, Children And All Those That Were Blessed To Know Her ...May God Fill Their Lives With A Eternal Peace .........

THERESA MELODY
Someone who cares

January 10, 2012

We were on the Mountain that morning and this has moved us deeply. I just watched Ranger Anderson's memorial service and am very grateful to her for her courage on Jan 1.

Nancy DenHerder

January 10, 2012

We never knew Margaret,but we are hornored to live in the state where she served the Parks of this beautiful state..
We send our deepest condolences to her family.
May you rest in peace Margaret..
Gods Speed..
Dee and The Furkids of Washington..

Dee Davis
Caring citizen

January 10, 2012

There are no words to describe the sadness I feel when reading or listening to stories such as this one.
I did not know Ranger Anderson but I do know Law Enforcement Rangers here in Louisiana. I learned of this story through them and it breaks my heart to see them hurt because of 1 individual who has taken such a wonderful person from this world. This is a horrible tragedy and an even bigger loss for the entire NPS family. Too many people take our National Parks for granted and the Rangers who serve within those parks protecting the park, the wildlife and us citizens.

U.S. NPS Ranger Margaret Anderson,
Your actions prevented even greater tragedy. Your memory will always be in the hearts of the entire world. Your smile, professionalism and many great qualities have touched the lives of far more people than those that knew you. May your soul rest in peace. I pray that GOD bring your loving family peace during this difficult time. May they be filled with comfort knowing you are a “HERO”.

May GOD protect all the men and women who protect and serve this nation, whether at home or overseas.

Mandy
United States Dept. of Agriculture/NFC

January 10, 2012

You did your job with honor. God will be your beat partner now. Thank you for your sacrifice. You will not be forgotten.

Deputy N. Perez
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

January 10, 2012

Our world is smaller without you in it. Rest In Peace, Margaret, we will all miss you.

A Friend

January 10, 2012

Margaret you served us well and our hearts go out to you, your family, co-workers, and friends. We are proud of you for staying in the fight and representing our law enforcement family.

You will be missed!

Corrections Deputy Tim Kiele
Whatcom COunty Sheriff's

January 10, 2012