Officer Michael Lee Staples

Officer Michael Lee Staples

United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations, U.S. Government

End of Watch Wednesday, September 4, 2002

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Michael Lee Staples

Officer Michael Staples was killed when his patrol vehicle collided with a deer that had just been struck by another vehicle on County Road 27, near County Road 20, in Beltrami County, Minnesota at 7:30 a.m.

After being struck by the first vehicle, the deer was thrown into the air and went through the windshield of Officer Staples' patrol truck. He was on patrol in the Chippewa National Forest's Cass Ranger District near Bemidji at the time.

Officer Staples was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the U.S. Forest Service for 8 years. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Bio

Age 33
Tour 8 years
Badge 1463
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Automobile crash
Location Minnesota

routine driving, vehicle crash

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Most Recent Reflection

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It's 22 years later and I still think of you as I drive the same road to work that you were last driving. I lost you - a friend and a coworker that shared the basement office space. You continue to live on within the hearts of Chippewa NF coworkers, your friends across the country and most importantly, your precious family. Peace be with you.

Ann Long Voelkner
USDA Forest Service, Chippewa NF

May 13, 2024