Game Warden Supervisor Arnold Magoon was killed by a poacher 43 Years ago today. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is asking Vermonters to take a moment to honor the memory of State Game Warden Arnold Magoon of Brandon and all of Vermont’s fallen officers.
Arnold Magoon was killed in the line of duty in 1978 and is the only Vermont State Game Warden to lose his or her life on the job. The following details are reprinted from a 2016 post on www.caseguard.com:
“In the very late hours of the night, the 18-year veteran of Vermont Fish & Game Department (VFGD), Game Warden Arnold J Magoon was at his home and station post, in Brandon, when he heard a gunshot in the middle of the night. With Warden Magoon’s home being close to State Forests, he suspected he was hearing the results of a poacher.
“He got into his patrol vehicle and headed in the direction of where he believed the gun shot to have originated from, about a half mile from his home. Warden Magoon discovered three men in a vehicle, who were known deer poachers. The three men started arguing with Warden Magoon, and then one of the men, Scott Johnson, began fighting with Warden Magoon.
“During the fight, Warden Magoon’s flashlight, a heavy six-cell Maglite, was loose, at which point Johnson grabbed a hold of it, striking Warden Magoon three times on his head. Warden Magoon was eventually taken to a hospital, where he died.”
“It was a sad day for wardens and a sad day for Vermonters, many of whom still remember Arnold as a ‘gentle giant’ of a man,” said Colonel Jason Batchelder, Vermont’s chief warden.
“It is important that we all remember our fallen officers, both for their memories and as a service to ourselves. Law Enforcement is rewarding but dangerous and honoring Arnold each April 27 keeps his memory alive and keeps us vigilant in our day-to-day work.”