Local BLM park ranger to be honored in Washington

GRAND JUNCTION, CO—Bureau of Land Management Park Ranger Troy Schnurr will receive the distinguished Valor Award from Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton during a ceremony in Washington, DC on February 2. The Valor Award recognizes an employee’s demonstration of unusual courage involving a high degree of personal risk in the face of danger.

“Troy’s actions are an inspiration to us all,” Grand Junction Field Manager Catherine Robertson said. “Park rangers are trained to meet just about any situation in the field, and while you know they’re prepared, it always takes a special individual to jeopardize their own life to save another’s.”

Schnurr was patrolling in McInnis Canyons NCA in September 2003, floating the Colorado River from Loma to Westwater after the busy holiday weekend. As he approached the Colorado-Utah border near May Flats, he noticed a panic-stricken man running along the shoreline just as he saw a woman go under for the last time, disappearing beneath the river’s current. Reaching the spot where she was last seen, Schnurr dove into the muddy water after her. Schnurr pulled the frantic woman to shore, ensured her well being and took off down river to retrieve his runaway boat.

Schnurr has been a park ranger at BLM Grand Junction for 12 years. He and his wife, Pam, are long-time residents of the Grand Valley.

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Editor’s Note: Schnurr will be available for interviews after his return from Washington on February 4. Photos are expected to be available as well.