Shots fired at Conservation Officers

[StringShooter]

Shots Fired at Conservation Officer Near Meramec Caverns

11/22/2003

The Missouri Highway Patrol searched Meramec Caverns in Jefferson County Saturday night after shots were fired at two conservation officers.

The officers were responding to a report of poachers in the area. Police say the suspects fired the shots after the officers identified themselves.

No one was hurt. The suspects fled. Highway Patrol officers stopped drivers in the area of Highway W in Stanton, searching for the two men.

 

[spectr17]

Public's help needed to find sniper

November 24, 2003

KMOX

Bullets miss conservation agents in Meramec park

The Missouri Department of Conservation is asking for the public's help to find out who fired shots at conservation agents investigating an illegal deer stand near Meramec Caverns Saturday afternoon. Investigators say they've exhausted all leads. Three shots were fired, hitting the ground and trees around the agents. When the agents reached the deer stand, they found it empty. Anyone who saw anyone or anything unusual Saturday afternoon near Meremac Caverns and highway "W" is being asked to call the conservation department at 636-441-4554.

 

[spectr17]

Shooting Incident Near Caverns Investigated

By Kevin Jenkins St. Clair Missourian Editor

November 26, 2003

An investigation is currently under way by the Franklin County Sheriff's office into a shooting incident involving two Missouri conservation officers in a densely wooded area of Franklin County Saturday.

Neither of the agents were injured.

The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon as the two officers were walking along a logging road just south of Meramec Caverns.

Coming upon an illegal deer blind, the agents said they were fired on by an unknown assailant.

Upon verbally identifying themselves, the agents said another shot was fired near them.

Missouri Conservation Department spokesperson Holly Berthold told The Missourian, "It looks like they were deliberately shooting at the officers. "The shots were hitting areas of ground around them."

Berthold added that neither officer saw the person who fired at them. She said the officers estimate the shooter was approximately 20 to 30 yards away and may have been dressed in camouflage clothing.

"The agents did not return fire. They used extreme caution in this situation," said Berthold.

Of the 71 arrests made by conservation officers during last week's opening of deer hunting season, Franklin County led counties in the St. Louis region by a wide margin with 30 hunters taken into custody.

Crawford County came in a distant second with 14 arrests.

Berthold said conservation officers had seen numerous violations this year involving the baiting of deer.

She said that officers depend on the public informing the Conservation Department of hunting violations that they observe while out in the woods.

"We're asking citizens to report any information they might have about the shooting incident to their nearest conservation office, or they can contact the St. Louis Regional Office at 636-441-4554," said Berthold.

 

[Chairman]

Originally posted by spectr17@Nov 27 2003, 11:54 AM
Coming upon an illegal deer blind, the agents said they were fired on by an unknown assailant.

Upon verbally identifying themselves, the agents said another shot was fired near them.

Missouri Conservation Department spokesperson Holly Berthold told The Missourian, "It looks like they were deliberately shooting at the officers. "The shots were hitting areas of ground around them."

Berthold added that neither officer saw the person who fired at them. She said the officers estimate the shooter was approximately 20 to 30 yards away and may have been dressed in camouflage clothing.

"The agents did not return fire. They used extreme caution in this situation," said Berthold.

20 - 30 yards away, and they didn't/couldn't see the "assailant"?! Surely they could of heard the offender running away...

Didn't they have radio's???

Something doesn't sound right...