Memorial for killed Mount Rainier ranger at PLU today

There will be a memorial service for park ranger Margaret Anderson at Pacific Lutheran University today.

Ranger Anderson was killed while on duty at Mount Rainier.  Authorities says gunman Benjamin Barnes fled to the park after a shooting in a Skyway apartment on New Year’s Eve.  He shot Anderson at a chain-up checkpoint.

The ceremony is set for one this afternoon and attendees will be mostly limited to other rangers and law enforcement. 

The National Park Service is asking the general public to attend an overflow service at Rainier View Christian Church in Tacoma, which will have a live feed of PLU’s event.  Governor Chris Gregoire has directed all flags at state buildings to fly at half-staff in honor of Anderson’s death. In addition to the memorial today, a candlelight vigil was held in Eatonville on Sunday. 

Anderson is survived by her husband Eric, also a ranger at Mt. Rainier, and two young children.  Anderson’s husband issued a statement of thanks for the outpouring of community support.  He said his family takes comfort in knowing how loved his wife was.