Inverness in Point Reyes in Marin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Kenneth C. Patrick Memorial

Memorial Honoring First National Park Service Ranger Intentionally Murdered in Line of Duty

Photographed By Michael P Von der Porten, June 15, 2024

1. Kenneth C. Patrick Memorial Marker

Inscription. On August 5, 1973, U.S. Park Ranger Kenneth C. Patrick was fatally shot while patrolling Point Reyes National Seashore. His service and sacrifice to the National Park Service and the people of this country will never be forgotten.

Erected 2023.

Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is August 5, 1973.

Location. 38° 1.675′ N, 122° 57.699′ W. Marker is in Point Reyes, California, in Marin County. It is in Inverness. Marker can be reached from Drake's Beach Road, one mile south of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. The marker is located next to the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Drake's Beach Road, Point Reyes Station CA 94956, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Nova Albion (within shouting distance of this marker); Cross Honoring First Protestant Service in the Future USA (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Portus Novae Albionus (approx. 1.2 miles away); Whalewatching (approx. 2.4 miles away); Sea Life in These Waters (approx. 2.4 miles away); Lives of Sacrifice and Service are Honored Here

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(approx. 2.4 miles away); Victims of the Coast (approx. 2.4 miles away); Francis Drake (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Point Reyes.

Regarding Kenneth C. Patrick Memorial. In 1973, NPS rangers received a report of possible poachers along Mt. Vision Road in the Point Reyes National Seashore.

Ranger Patrick responded and was ambushed in the fog by two poachers who killed the Ranger.

This was the first intentional murder of an NPS Ranger in National Park History. (One other Ranger had prior been killed by a hunter who mistook the Ranger for a deer, making that the first, although unintentional, murder of a Ranger.)

The Ken Patrick Visitor Center was named for him. Patrick is buried in the cemetery in Grand Canyon National Park.

The monument includes a plaque with text and a ranger hat. It was erected on the 50th anniversary of his death.

Also see . . . Park Ranger Kenneth Carmel Patrick (Officer Down Memorial Page).

Excerpt: Park Ranger Kenneth Patrick was shot and killed while making a traffic stop at Point Reyes National Seashore, California. The vehicle
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that he stopped contained several members of a militant group, known as the Black Panthers.

One of the men opened fire on Ranger Patrick with a 9mm handgun as he approached the car, wounding him. Ranger Patrick was wearing a winter coat and was unable to draw his weapon.

The suspects began to drive away but returned and the shooter shot the wounded Ranger Patrick in the head, killing him. The suspect then stole Ranger Patrick's service revolver and the group fled.

The suspects were apprehended and convicted of Ranger Patrick's murder. The accomplices were paroled in 2002.

(Submitted on June 22, 2024.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2024, by Michael P Von der Porten of Santa Rosa, California. This page has been viewed 38 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on June 15, 2024, by Michael P Von der Porten of Santa Rosa, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.