Bureau of Land Management Law Enforcement Officers’ backcountry and medical skills save competitor’s life in public lands toughest motorcycle race

For four decades, northern Arizona’s rugged desert has tested the grit and endurance of 300 riders in one of the most exhilarating motorcycle races on public lands.  

Thanks to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) law enforcement officers and their public safety patrols, one severely injured participant received lifesaving medical aid, was returned to his family and received advanced care at the local hospital. 

BLM Law Enforcement Officer Brian Smith was patrolling the racecourse on his motorcycle when he spotted a downed rider in a remote canyon. During a pre-run of the course, Smith had noted a rough, rocky section that he knew could be problematic 

“I just had a feeling I needed to jump on the racetrack and began paralleling the course,” he said. That’s when Smith saw the downed rider and called out to him.  

The rider said he had tingling in his right leg and hand. From his training as an emergency responder, Coast Guard combat lifesaver, and acute medical care trainer with Iraqi Marines, Smith knew those symptoms could indicate a lower back, pelvis, or spinal injury. 

During a rapid medical assessment, Smith noticed a one-inch tear on the back of the rider’s pants with a small amount of blood visible.  

 “The type of riding pants the rider was wearing kept the blood inside, so it didn’t look as bad as it was,” Smith said.  

Upon closer inspection, Smith found the rider’s entire right leg was covered in blood seeping from a puncture wound an inch long and two inches deep.  

“I used combat gauze, a special kind of gauze that has a blood clotting substance in it and packed the wound with it,” Smith said. 

He then applied a pressure bandage to stop the blood flow, placed the rider in the recovery position, and began working on an evacuation plan.  A medical helicopter was placed on standby, but the rider denied the services.  

Smith stopped racecourse traffic and called BLM officer Travis Legler, who rushed to the scene through the narrow canyon in a BLM law enforcement utility terrain vehicle (UTV).

“It was like driving through a boulder patch with an eight percent grade,” Legler said.  

As BLM officers patrol remote roads, they identify the best evacuation routes for medical emergencies. 

“It expedites the patients getting the care they need,” Legler said. 

Before transporting the rider, Smith repacked the wound and added another pressure bandage. 

“I had him put pressure on that spot to keep the blood from flowing on that rocky road during transport out of the canyon,” he said.  

During the 15-mile journey to the racecourse pit, Legler kept the patient engaged, and monitored his mental status, given the significant blood loss. By the time they reached the pit, the rider had lost a lot of blood.  

“We got him seated in his truck because the family wanted to drive him into the hospital,” Smith said. He had exhausted his medical supplies, so he used a bystander’s T-shirt to reinforce bandages, adding another layer of pressure.  

"It's very fortunate Rangers Smith and Legler were there,” said BLM Arizona Strip District Supervisory Law Enforcement Ranger John Sims. “Their quick action and critical care in that remote environment unquestionably prevented a very bad outcome. Their actions exemplify our ranger's professionalism and commitment to public service and safety.”   

BLM Officer Rayne Rohrback, who responded to another injured rider on a different part of the course that day, credited Smith’s medical expertise. 

“What Brian did—I believe he truly saved that guy’s life with the training he has and little bit of equipment he had with him,” Rohrbach said. “We play a vital role in the recreation people decide to do. When things go sideways, Law Enforcement is there assisting the public in remote locations, rough terrain, and tough situations and conditions.” 

“This is why we choose this career, to help people on public lands and so others can enjoy it,” Smith said. 

“I think that’s why we signed up for the job. You sign up for law enforcement because you want to help people and you sign up for BLM law enforcement because you want to help people who are even further out from civilization,” Legler said. 

Most BLM officers don’t hear much about the outcomes of their rescues, but occasionally, a grateful visitor will return to express their appreciation.   

At the start of the 2025 41st annual Wizards’ Rhino Rally, a rider from the 2024 race sought out officer Rohrbach at the start line and thanked him for saving his life after he gone off a drop-off the previous year.  

“It’s awesome. It’s very rare to hear back from a patient, or find out how they are doing now, let alone hear thanks from them. It was great to know it was a good outcome and the rider from 2024 was back in 2025 and very thankful for what we were able to do for him last year.”