Paul Fugate
Missing since January 13, 1980 from Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona
Classification: Missing

Vital Statistics

• Age at Time of Disappearance: 41 years old
• Distinguishing Characteristics: White male. Graying, long hair and beard. Glasses.
• Clothing: He was wearing his uniform.

Circumstances of Disappearance
At 14.00 on January 13, 1980, Park Ranger Paul Fugate, the only member of the permanent staff on duty that day, walked out of his office to check out a nature trail. He left instructions with the only other person, a seasonal employee, that if he was not back before 16:30 to begin to shut down without him.

Fugate appeared to walk down toward the Chiricahua National Monument entrance and was never seen again. No trace of the ranger was ever found despite extensive searches by the National Park Service, The Cochise County Sheriff’s Department, The Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, The Southern Arizona Search and Rescue Association, Customs, The Border Patrol and Fugate’s many friends.

All that was missing from Fugate’s home were the clothes he was wearing and his NPS keys.
foul play is possible.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:

Cochise County Sheriff’s Department
520-803-3280

Source Information:
The Douglas Dispatch

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