Later news item (today)
http://www.borderlandnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050826/NEWS/508260336/1001
LAS CRUCES -- Investigators have identified a man shot to death Tuesday by a state parks officer at Elephant Butte State Park, and court records reveal the man had been in trouble with the law several times in the months before his death.
The man was identified as Bruce Teschner, 58, said New Mexico State Police Lt. Jimmy Glascock. Teschner has ties to Colorado, but court records indicate he had been in Sierra County since at least December.
His shooting was the first fatal shooting by an officer at one of New Mexico's 32 state parks in at least 30 years. State police are investigating, and the officer involved, Clyde Woods, is on paid administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation, said Dave Simon, New Mexico state parks director.
The confrontation began just after 8 p.m. Tuesday at Lion's Beach, a busy area near the visitor's center, after Teschner became belligerent with a park volunteer over a $14 camping fee he refused to pay, officials say.
According to court records, Teschner had an outstanding bench warrant in Sierra County for failing to appear in court on a harassment charge. He was also awaiting trial on charges of resisting, evading or obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct stemming from a June incident, and failure to carry automobile insurance and wear a safety belt stemming from a December incident.
Yes, Indeed he needed to be put down!!
Especially the no seat belt part...
Well, that does it for me. The local park police MUST protect us all from such scofflaws. Failure to wear a safety belt! Ping all of the drug warriors immediately! This is a gateway offense, and certainly the viciously threatened officer needs a commendation. These criminal elements start off harassing, resisting, evading, and obstructing. They become so hardened by the system that they progress to >gasp< failure to carry insurance. Lock up the wimmenfolk, this is worse than the Hells Angels!
Shame on those that celebrate his death.