Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

61 years ago you laid down your life for a stranger. Your bravery was admirable.
Service before self definitely describes you and your actions.
Rest in Peace. we will never forget you.

Elizabeth Haugen Mosqueda.
Widow of Deputy Michael Haugen.
Riverside County Sheriffs Department

October 29, 2024

Ranger Heath, it has been 61 years since you were taken from us. New England law enforcement continues to serve and protect and make life secure for our part of the country. I honor your 3 years of law enforcement service to the citizens of Maine.

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

October 29, 2024

Ranger Heath,
On today, the 60th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served during World War II and the Korean War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 29, 2023

Ranger Heath, it has been 60 years since you were taken from us. New England law enforcement has continued to thrive, learn and become safer due to the traditions and sacrifices you, your family, and many others have made for us. Thank you for your law enforcement service

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

October 29, 2023

This is in response to Daniel Heath, I know a lot of time has passed since your reflection, but I am a relative. Ralph Heath was my Grandfather's cousin, therefore, I am Ralph's 3rd cousin. I sent an email to the address you provided in your reflection, but did not get a response, so I thought I would try here. If you have Facebook, you can message me. My name is Thaylene (Heath) Bernard - my maiden name is not on Facebook. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thaylene (Heath) Bernard
3rd Cousin

October 6, 2020

Hello, Ralph Heath, was my fathers uncle. Ralph's brother Charles Wilmont Heath was my grandfather. I am interested in Learning more about Ralph and would love to communicate with family I havent met to honor Ralph.
[email protected]
2524230138

Daniel Heath

September 2, 2019

I remember reading this story in a Maine State Troopers report and was in awe of the courage that ranger Heath had shown. I do like to tell people that hike the AT that story, so they have a better understanding of the perils as well of the beauty the AT has to offer, and the courage that Rangers they will meet along the way. God bless you Ranger Heath.

DAVID MORGAN

August 30, 2019

Uncle Ralph would be 93 years old today. End of Watch 10/29/1963 Katahdin

Jonathan Heath
I am Ralph's Nephew, he was my dad's older brother.

July 23, 2019

My band, the Sandy River Ramblers, just recorded a song I wrote called "The Knife Edge" which commemorates Ralph Heath's heroism and the tragic chain of events that led to his and Margaret Ivusic's death.

It's on a CD called "Home in the Heart of Maine."

Patricia Heath/Long, I hope you'll get in touch with me. You can reach me at [email protected].

Stan Keach
I'm a professional songwriter/performer, an amateur Maine histori

May 14, 2019

ranger ralph heath is my uncle and I was just a baby when he died trying to save 2 women on the knifes edge at mt katahdin. two weeks ago I recently took a trip around the mountain and I asked questions about my uncle to the rangers that work there today and they call my uncle ralph a legend. it makes me proud to be a relative of ranger ralph heath . god bless you uncle ralph

patricia heath/long
im his neice

July 15, 2018

To celebrate our graduation from Harvard Business School a group of us visited Baxter and hiked to Chimney Pond and Ralph Heath's bailiwick. He regaled us with stories, many of which involved night trips to the summit in search for tardy hikers. He took it all in stride and portrayed these efforts as just part of the job. The last picture I took on this trip is with my group and Ralph. How shocking it was to read the incident report in the AMC news. Ralph and Katahdin are always entwined in my memories of that summer.

Richard A MacKinnon

May 27, 2018

You truly showed determination and courage in your efforts. It's a shame that woman lost her life as well, but in some respects, she caused your death as well as her own, and that is a very sad shame.

When people put their own lives in danger and the lives of others just for an adventure, it baffles my mind.

Ranger Heath, you're a hero in every sense of the word and the State of Maine owes you enormous gratitude, as does everyone who ever enjoyed a park.

God Bless you and may your eternal rest be ever peaceful, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

February 15, 2016

Its been more than fifty years, but you are never forgotten, Ralph.

Shani Dowd
University of Maine Outing Club (Class of 1967)

July 13, 2015

Rest in peace my friend

Don Hedbany

February 20, 2015

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 51st anniversary year of your death. I am privileged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service.

My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

January 28, 2014

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Detective Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

April 19, 2013

I met Ranger Ralph Heath on a climb of Mt Katahdin in June 1962 on a high school graduation trip with my friend Eddie Baker. We were from Auburn, Maine, and spent a week at Chimney Pond camp climbing. One day we hiked back down the trail to get fresh supplies, including a shopping list from Ralph, and that evening I had the best split pea soup with ham that he had prepared for us upon our return. I was saddened later when reading of his tragic but heroic death in the Stars and Stripes newspaper while serving in North Africa.

Ed Horton, CWO4, USN (RET)
Friend, Richmond, va

February 28, 2013

By the time I became a Baxter State Park Ranger in the late 1980's, Ranger Heath was already a park legend. Many of the older rangers knew him personally and spoke very highly of him. We younger rangers aspired to be as good and dedicated a ranger as Ralph Heath was. He still is an inspiration to Baxter rangers today.

Steve Tetreault, Campground Ranger I
former Baxter Park Ranger

February 3, 2012

Ranger Heath,

God bless you for your efforts over the course of those two days. there is an old search and rescue saying: "These things we do that others may live". You've honored all of law enforcement with your actions. Thank you.

Officer J. Craven
Silver Spring Township (PA) Police Dept.

October 29, 2011

Rest in Peace!

Police Corporal Matt Lyons (Historian)
Oceanside Police Department, Cal

January 21, 2008

We remember you today neighbor, and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 29, 2007

We will never forget! Yours was not in vain!

Matt Lyons
OPD, Ca.

May 24, 2006

Thank you Sir for being one of the good guys. You stand at an honored place. Rest easy now.

fellow officer

January 15, 2005

Yours was not in vain! Thank you for service to the people of the State Maine. We will never forget.

Officer Matt Lyons
Oceanside, California

August 10, 2004