National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior

Chiricahua National Monument Fort Bowie National Historic Site

(520) 824-3560 Chiricahua(520) 824-3421 Chiricahua Fax

Coronado National Memorial

12856 E. Rhyolite Creek RoadWillcox, AZ 85643

(520) 847-2500 Fort Bowie(520) 847-2349 Fort Bowie Fax

4101 E Montezuma Canyon RoadHereford, Arizona 85615(520) 366-5515 - Phone(520) 366-5705 – Fax

SOUTHEAST ARIZONA GROUP – NEWS RELEASEChiricahua NM Fort Bowie NHS Coronado NMem

For Immediate ReleaseFebruary 19, 2010Contact: Kym Hall, Superintendent

Memorial Service at Chiricahua NM forPark Ranger Paul Fugate

It was a Sunday afternoon January 13, 1980. Chiricahua National Monument park ranger, Paul Fugate, apparently told his coworker, “I’m going for a hike. If I’m back late close the visitor center.” Paul left the visitor center walking west towards the Silver Spur Meadow and Faraway Ranch. He was never seen nor heard from again.

On January 13, 2010, Dody Fugate, Paul’s widow, held a memorial service to commemorate the 30th anniversary of this tragic event. A dozen family friends and Chiricahua National Park Service employees gathered at Faraway Ranch. Stories and memories of Paul were shared with laughter and a few tears.

Despite extensive searches conducted by employees of the National Park Service, Cochise County Sheriff’s Department, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Border Patrol, Customs, the Southern Arizona Search and Rescue Association, and Fugate’s many friends no trace of the park ranger was ever found. The only items missing from Fugate’s home in the monument were the uniform he was wearing and his keys. To this date, nothing has ever been discovered to explain his mysterious disappearance.

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AThe National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

Plaque created by “Friends of Paul Fugate”

-NPS- SEAZ 02-2010

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AThe National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.