Posted on 01/07/2023 5:54:01 PM PST by robowombat
Hero Down: Alaska State Troopers Court Services Officer Curtis Worland Gored By Muskox
Holly Matkin January 6, 2023 Nome, AK – Alaska State Troopers (AST) Court Services Officer Curtis Worland died in the line of duty on Dec. 13, 2022, after being gored by a muskox while trying to protect his dog mushing team.
The deadly attack occurred near Officer Worland’s home on the Teller Highway at approximately 12:30 p.m., KTUU reported.
The 36-year-old officer was on a paid work break when he spotted a herd of muskoxen near his dog mushing team, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
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Officer Worland jumped on his snowmobile and tried to haze the herd away, but ended up being attacked by one of the four-foot-tall, 900-pound animals.
The muskox charged him and gored his leg with his horn, hitting the officer’s femoral artery, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
A citizen found Officer Worland seriously wounded near his home at about 12:30 p.m. and called for help, according to KTUU.
Alaska State troopers and members of the Nome Volunteer Fire Department (NVFD) responded to the scene and Officer Worland was subsequently pronounced dead.
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Investigators said he was carrying a Glock 22 .40-caliber handgun that had been fired multiple times, KTUU reported.
Because the muskox that killed Officer Worland was a danger to the public, officials tracked it down and fatally shot it, the Alaska Department of Public Safety (ADPS) confirmed on Dec. 15.
“On December 15, 2022, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers and Alaska Department of Fish and Game located the suspected muskox involved in the death of CSO Worland earlier this week,” ADPS Communications Director Austin McDaniel told KVUU. “Based on the actions of the muskox ADF&G and AWT determined the muskox may present a threat to the community.”
“The muskox was dispatched by an Alaska Wildlife Trooper at around 1 pm, approximately one mile away from the location of the encounter with CSO Worland,” McDaniel added. “The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will conduct a necropsy on the muskox.”
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The AST is handling the investigation into Officer Worland’s death with the assistance of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Alaska Wildlife Troopers.
“Curtis proudly wore the Court Services Officer uniform and honorably served the people of Alaska for 13 years,” ADPS Commissioner James Cockrell said in a press release. “He was a proud member of the Nome community and a dedicated member of the Alaska law enforcement family.”
Officer Worland worked as a court services officer for the AST since December of 2009, the agency said.
He spent his entire career at the AST post in Nome.
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Officer Worland was chosen as the Court Services Officer of the Year in 2011, according to his obituary.
He leaves behind his wife, Kamey, as well as his parents and siblings.
“I hope that Alaskans will keep Curtis’ family, friends, loved ones, and the Alaska State Troopers in your thoughts as we process this tragic loss for our state,” Commissioner Cockrell said. “He will be sorely missed by the DPS family.”
Officer Worland will be laid to rest on Jan. 7, according to his obituary.
Just a freak accident. They always tell us everywhere in Alaska is moose and bear country, it is; but nothing about musk ox.
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Musk ox are tough hombres. Thick, heavy antlers, low center of gravity, and surprisingly fast. They smell something awful and are leftovers from the last ice age. A .40 cal. handgun is not adequate protection from such a beast. RIP officer.
RIP to the officer but he choose unwisely for a defensive weapon. Might as well have used a BB gun as his 40gal.
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