Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in Peace, Ranger!

Lead Ranger Matt Lyons
National Park Service, Traffic Management - SEKI

June 23, 2024

I recently discovered this memorial website page when I was looking up an article on the details of how you passed. I miss you and my dad so very much and I have been trying to collect any articles, photos, and newspaper clippings that I don’t have. I think about the memories of my dad everyday and picture what it would have been like to meet you. You are my hero and I love you, my dad, and our family so very much. It is such an honor to be one of your granddaughters, thank you for your service and your sacrifice.
RIP Robert Lewis McGhee Jr. and Kevin Howard McGhee

Haley McGhee

September 22, 2021

Always remembered.

Warren Dean
National Park Service

May 26, 2021

My name is Tom Lewis. I work for the NPS at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and am looking to contact the family of Ranger McGhee. I'm in the process of updating our Line of Duty Death presentation that all new trainees received at FELTC and would like to add to the presentation we have for Robert. I can be reached at [email protected]

Thank you for your time. We continue to honor the sacrifices of our Rangers, their legacy is not forgotten.

Thomas
National Park Service

May 12, 2020

Rest in peace Park Ranger McGhee.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 20, 2019

Remembering you today Bob...…..continue to rest in peace.

Warren Dean
National Park Service

May 26, 2019

Wow, God Bless.....I will pay my respects this coming winter, while on my furlough. May your soul forever Rest In Peace.

Joan D Kelly
National Park Service-CACO/V&RP

May 27, 2018

I was finally able to pay my respects at Bob's memorial marker this past month. Very sombering. RIP Bob on this 28 anniversary of your falling.

Warren Dean
National park service

May 26, 2018

I was finally able to pay my respects at Bob's memorial marker just this past month. Very sombering. RIP Bob on this 28th anniversary of your falling.

Warren Dean
National park service

May 26, 2018

Remembering Bob today on the 27th anniversary of his untimely passing.

Warren Dean
National Park Service

May 26, 2017

Mr. McGhee, was one of the Nicest people one could have ever met in this life. Glad I was on duty and took part in capturing the felon inmate who had escaped from Florida. I was just a Reserve Officer at the time but our Chief had confidence in my ability to serve and protect, and for that I am forever Grateful.

Joseph B. Robinson. Reserve officer
Personal Friend

April 5, 2016

Your sacrifice will never be forgotten! Thank you for your dedicated service to the Citizens that visited and to the United States Park Service! Continue to Rest in Peace Ranger McGhee.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of GOD." Matthew 5:9

Corporal Tony Dunn
Mississippi Highway Patrol, Troop D

May 26, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 26, 2015

Remembering Bob today on the 25th anniversary of his untimely death.

Warren Dean: basic LE training classmate
National Park Service

May 26, 2015

May is a very sad month for me as the 26th of May will be the 25th anniversary of the death of my dear husband who was shot down in Gulf Island Natl Park in Ocean Spgs.Ms. It seems like it was only yesterday when the Ranger walked into my home and told me he was. dead. Bob was a fine man well loved by everyone that new him. My children and grandchildren are grown now. I just wish my grandchildren would have gotten to grow up with him. I will love and miss him till the day I die. I strongly agree the death penalty shoud be enforced. Iam so sorry I did not get the opportunity of seeing both of Bobs killers given the deathy penalty. I could have pulled the switch and went home and got a good nights sleep. One prisoner is still alive in prison and the other dempsey bruner passed away this year. You don't think about the death penalty until you walk in the shoes of losing someone you love. People should respect our law enforcement officers. They put there life on the line everyday for us.

Linda L McGhee
widow

May 14, 2015

I started my career 3 weeks after This Ranger was murdered. My training officers and the Shift at the local police department were working the day he died and arrested the violators. I still mourn his lost 25 years later and still ride my Sheriff cruiser past a stone memorial placed on side of road where he died. The lessons I learned from my brothers of what happened that terrible day still burn bright in my minds eye. I grew up in that park playing ball and walking trails when Ranger McGhee patrolled, now we bring our families to the park knowing that he is still on Duty.

Captain Ricky Jones
Jackson County MS Sheriff's Department

May 11, 2015

I didn't know Mr. McGhee but I have heard many many great memories of him from my parents Ramiro & Flora Alaniz. My Mom says he was an amazing boss and my Dad called him an incredible man & friend. I'm here now because my mom & I were watching "Undercover Boss" and one of the bosses looked like Mr McGhee so my mom started telling me stories of him. Tears started falling as she remembered her friend and tears were falling from my eyes as I read the memorials from Mrs Cannon and Mr Owens. I wish I had the chance to meet Mr McGhee but I know I will one day when we are all in heaven together. May he continue to rest in peace.

Sara Alaniz
Austin, Texas

Friends Daughter, Sara Alaniz

May 10, 2013

BOB IT HAS BEEN 21 YEARS SINCE YOU WERE TAKEN FROM MY LIFE. THERE IS NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT I DON'T THINK OF YOU AND WONDER HOW ARE LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN NOW. WE HAVE THREE BEAUTIFUL GRAND CHILDREN AND A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER. SADLY OUR SON WAS TAKEN FROM US. WE ALL MISS YOU SO MUCH. WE HAD SO MANY BEAUTIFUL YEARS TOGETHER. KARLA AND I ARE SO PROUD TO SEE THE MANY WAYS YOU HAVE BEEN HONORED . YOUR DEATH BROUGHT MANY CHANGES IN THE PROGRAMS AND TRAINING OF PARK RANGERS. I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH THE YEARS WE HAD TOGETHER AND WISH THAT IT HAD BEEN MANY MORE. YOUR LOVING WIFE LINDA

LINDA MCGHEE CANNON
WIDOW

May 23, 2011

Just located this site and wish to comment on Bob as a great person and caring ranger. It is now 20 years later and I am retired and reflect on how forunate I am to survive. I knew Bob as a co-worker and friend and still think about the day this happened. I have worked with personally 3 out of 4 rangers that were shot and killed being Bob, Joe Kolodski and Chris Eggle and realize the sacrifice they have given more so than one knows. Their sacrifice made others safe as the thugs responsible are in prison to protect other innocent people although I am in avor of the death penalty for these thugs.

Park Ranger Jerry Grubb
National Park Service

March 28, 2010

I have returned, as an Instructor, to the place where I first met Bob, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. There isn't a week that goes by when I don't think of my classmate. I recently had a street sign made and posted it, in the woodlands where we train. It is called "McGhee's Path." RIP, Bob. I miss you, and pray for your family.

D. D'Ercole, Sup Special Agent (Retired)
US Forest Service

March 9, 2010

Bob,
The 20 year anniversary is coming up and your family misses you as much now as on the morning of 26 May 1990.
Your grandson, your pride and joy, turns 20 on September 12th. He was just a baby when this happened, but he knows how much you loved him. He writes, plays music and sings. He hopes to write an article for the Ocean Springs Record that covers the events of that day. He is trying to arrange interviews with the accused but he is not sure if it will be allowed.
You also have 2 granddaughters that are both teenagers. I can only speak for mine, she misses you immensely and never had the chance to know you. She will look at the scrapbook that Karla made of you and get teary eyed. You would love her so much.
I retired from the Air Force in 2000 and joined the Ocean Springs Police Department. It was hard to get Karla and Linda to allow it. In November 2006 I went to Biloxi. I think of you often and it reminds me of how fragile life can be. You kiss your wife and loved ones good bye and tell them you will see them at the end of your shift, always knowing in the back of your mind, this could be your last shift.
I pray that you will watch over me while I'm on my shift. This family has endured enough pain.

J. D. Owens
Biloxi Police Department/Son in law

August 10, 2009

Ranger McGhee,
Sir, On today, the 19th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous

May 26, 2009

Thank you Ranger McGhee for your courage and service to our country. May your name and memory be everlasting.

Lieutenant
Dept. of Defense, Retired

December 9, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

March 27, 2008

TO THE MCGHEE FAMILY;
I WAS SOMEWHAT A NEW OFFICER OF THE OCEAN SPRINGS DEPT. AT THE TIME OF YOUR LOSS. I KNEW RANGER MCGHEE AND THOUGHT THAT HE WAS SO UNDESERVING OF WHAT HAPPEN. HE WAS A GOOD MAN AND GOOD RANGER. I'M KNEW TO OBSERVING ODMP AND I'M SADDEN THE POLICE FAMILY HASN'T ALREADY GIVEN A REFLECTION. I STILL THINK ABOUT THE LOSS OF RANGER MCGHEE WHEN I PASS THE MONUMENT PLACED IN THE PARK IN HIS REMEMBERANCE. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BE WITH THE MCGHEE FAMILY

PTN. G. DAVID COLE
PASCAGOULA PD.

August 30, 2006