A National Park Service law enforcement ranger drowned Sunday while trying to rescue a family in distress on Namakan Lake in Voyageurs National Park.
National Park Service Law Enforcement Ranger Drowns on Duty in Minnesota Lake
“Ranger Grossheim responded Sunday morning to a distress call from park visitors near Birch Cove Island. After taking a family of three aboard his National Park Service boat, the vessel overturned amid high winds and rough waters," NPS said.
by Staff
October 9, 2024
National Park Service Ranger Kevin Grossheim died Sunday while trying to rescue a family in distress on a Minnesota lake. His boat capsized in rough waters. The family was rescued but Grossheim drowned.
Credit:
National Park Service
1 min to read
The Park Service has identified the fallen ranger as Kevin Grossheim, 55.
“Ranger Grossheim responded Sunday morning to a distress call from park visitors near Birch Cove Island. After taking a family of three aboard his National Park Service boat, the vessel overturned amid high winds and rough waters," NPS said in a press release.
The family that Ranger Grossheim rescued was able to make it to safety. The ranger, however, was missing after the accident. His body was discovered three hours later.
“Kevin was much loved by all and always known to go above and beyond,” said Voyageurs National Park Superintendent Bob DeGross said in a statement. “He will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to his wife and their loved ones.”
Ranger Grossheim served at Voyageurs National Park for more than 20 years. He volunteered with the Kabetogama Fire Department in addition to his work at the park. He was a Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) instructor and experienced boat operator familiar with navigating the local lakes of the park.
The National Park Service is continuing to investigate the details of Sunday’s incident.
More Patrol
Tasmanian Tiger Launches Modular Chest Rig 4xM4 & Modular Chest Rig Pack for LE
Tasmanian Tiger has expanded its Modular Load-Carrying System with the new Modular Chest Rig 4xM4 and Modular Chest Rig Pack. Both provide adaptable, low-profile load options for military, law enforcement, and SWAT missions.
Read More →
ZeroEyes Expands from AI Gun Detection to Knife Detection & Suspect Tracking
ZeroEyes has launched three new product categories to extend beyond firearms to address additional acute safety threats and basic security needs. Knife detection and suspect tracking are now also available.
Read More →
GALLS Acquires CMS Uniforms
GALLS has acquired CMS Uniforms and Equipment, Inc., a prominent regional provider based in Nashville, Tennessee. CMS Uniforms, founded in 2000, has built a reputation for delivering stellar customer service and managing complex uniform programs for more than 670 accounts.
Read More →
Brinc Unveils Guardian, Launching the Next Era of Drone as First Responder
Brinc’s new Guardian delivers 24/7 operations, Starlink connectivity, and a robotic charging nest that can swap batteries and change payload configurations without human intervention.
Read More →
Colorado State Patrol Releases 2025 Struck-By Analysis
The Colorado State Patrol, after analyzing its 2025 struck-by incidents, identified one area for improvement: using traffic cones to provide advanced warning before the cruiser's location. Here is the agency’s final data.
Read More →
Streamlight Names 144th Marketing Group Law Enforcement Sales Rep Agency of the Year
Streamlight has recognized the 144th Marketing Group as its 2025 Sales Rep Agency of the Year Award for the Law Enforcement market.
Read More →Streamlight Names 144th Marketing Group Law Enforcement Sales Rep Agency of the Year
Streamlight has recognized the 144th Marketing Group as its 2025 Sales Rep Agency of the Year Award for the Law Enforcement market.
Read More →
The Mission After the Moment
The mission of the Jorge Pastore Foundation is to support first responders through essential training, stronger community engagement, and mental wellness resources, all accessible and funded through donations, sponsorships, and foundation-led fundraising. It works closely with Team Wendy in the discussions about developing better protective gear for officers.
Read More →
Sponsored•March 17, 2026
Built for Patrol: How One Police Chief Fixed Communication, Boosted Visibility, and Changed the Culture
Patrol work hasn’t changed—but the expectations on officers have. See how one police chief helped officers get the right information at the right time, improve patrol visibility, and strengthen trust without adding complexity or surveillance. This real-world story shows how patrol-driven technology can make the job safer, smarter, and more effective—starting on day one.
Read More →
K-9s Play a Critical Role in Finding Missing Persons
Real-world scenarios show that a tracking canine can detect and follow a human track several hours after it was made.
Read More →