19-Year-Old Arrested For Murders of Alaska Troopers
May 03, 2014
"This was a senseless act that resulted in killing of two dedicated and courageous Alaska State Troopers faithfully fulfilling their duties in the community of Tanana," said Colonel James Cockrell, Director of the Alaska State Troopers in a prepared statement Friday.
Trooper Gabe Rich (left) and Trooper Sgt Scott Johnson (right) Colonel Cockrell said both troopers were in Tanana to serve an arrest warrant on Arvin Kangas (58) for Assault 4 and Driving with License Revoked (DWLR) from an incident that occurred the Wednesday night when Arvin Kangas had a confrontation with Tanana Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) Mark Haglin, which included Kangas pointing at shotgun at the VPSO Haglin as he drove by his residence. After the confrontation VPSO Haglin contacted the Fairbanks Alaska State Troopers' Office. Troopers Johnson and Rich arrived in Tanana at about 2:45 pm on Thursday. The Troopers made contact with Arvin Kangas near the front door of his residence. While attempting to place Kangas under arrest a struggle ensued, this resulted in all three entering into the Kangas’ residence. While inside the residence both Troopers were shot and killed by Nathanial Kangas (19). It’s believed that Nathanial Kangas used a semi-automatic rifle during the shooting said Colonel Cockrell. Nathanial Kangas (19) was taken into custody shortly after the killings. Arvin Kangas (58) fled to another residence in Tanana and surrendered to AST Thursday night at approximately 10:25 pm. Colonel Cockrell said both Nathanial Kangas and Arvin Kangas have been transported to Fairbanks. The Office of Special Prosecution and Appeals is assisting in the investigation and currently preparing charging documents against Nathanial Kangas to include:
According to the Alaska Department of Public Safety, the bodies of Sergeant Johnson and Trooper Rich have been recovered from Tanana and were transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Anchorage Friday. Their bodies arrived in Anchorage a little before noon-time at Signature Air Cargo. From there, a small procession accompiened them to the State Medical Examiner’s Office. A 24-hour vigil was conducted by the Alaska State Troopers and other Law Enforcement Officers. Investigators are remaining on scene in Tanana collecting evidence and interviewing members of the community in regards to the incidents and circumstances leading up to the deaths of Sergeant Johnson and Trooper Rich. Sgt. Scott Johnson was born in Fairbanks, but grew up in Tok where he graduated from Tok School in 1987. He was 45 at the time of his death. Johnson was a North Slope Borough Police Officer for three years before joining the Alaska State Troopers ranks in 1993. Afterward, he headed to Fairbanks where he worked his entire 20-year trooper career. During his long esteemed career, Sgt. Johnson worked as a patrol trooper; was a field training officer; was a canine officer, instructor and canine unit supervisor; supervisor of the Fairbanks Areawide Narcotics Team; patrol shift supervisor; an assistant team leader for the Northern Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT); and finally rural unit sergeant. Sgt.Johnson is survived by his wife, daughters ages 16, 14, and 12; his parents and siblings. Trooper Gabe Rich was born in Sayre, Pennsylvania, but moved to Fairbanks shortly after his birth. He graduated from Lathrop High School in 2006. He was 26 at the time of his death. Trooper Rich spent four years working as a patrolman with the North Pole Police Department before deciding to become an Alaska State Trooper in 2011. Trooper Rich worked in Fairbanks patrol for the majority of his 3 1⁄2 years as a trooper, then moved to the Rural Unit. Trooper Rich is survived by his fiancé, their 1-year-old son; and his parents. Trooper Rich was in the process of adopting his fiancé’s 8-year-old son. Troopers Johnson and Rich joined the Interior Rural Unit on the same day – Jan. 1, 2014. The rural unit consists of a sergeant and three troopers that serve villages both on and off the road system. This four-person unit’s jurisdiction goes as far west as Kaltag and north to Arctic Village, each located 310 and 241 air miles from “D” Detachment headquarters in Fairbanks where the unit is based. Because unit troopers have to travel a great distances to respond to a call, getting to the location is time consuming. In addition, adverse weather conditions can at times hamper a trooper’s response time. Unit troopers provide public safety for 23 villages scattered throughout a sparse area. To do this, the members heavily rely on air travel to respond to the different calls. Some members of the unit are certified to fly a state aircraft. Otherwise, troopers rely on a non- commissioned state pilot or charter a local aircraft service to fly to the villages off the road system or drive great distances to get to communities on the Dalton, Steese and Elliott highways. The unit sergeant also supervises the two troopers at the Galena post. Rural unit troopers also provide oversight to six Village Public Safety Officers in the Interior. Colonel Cockrell said currently department members are dealing with shock and disbelief trying to make sense of the deaths of Sergeant Johnson and Trooper Rich. "We are currently providing support for the involved families and all our personnel in Fairbanks. This is certainly a difficult time for DPS members, especially falling on the heels of three line of duty deaths we experienced in 2013," said Colonel Cockrell. "I would ask that everyone respect the wishes of the families during the next several weeks while they try to cope with this tragedy," Colonel Cockrell said. In a prepared statement, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell said, “Sandy and I were deeply saddened to learn of the senseless, brutal crime that took the lives of two of Alaska’s finest.” Governor Parnell said, “These fallen heroes answered the call to serve and protect, and made the ultimate sacrifice, while keeping our communities safe. May God and the loving support of grateful Alaskans bring comfort to the families of these courageous men, the public safety community, and all those impacted by this horrific act.” Regarding the tragic loss of Sergeant Patrick Johnson and Trooper Gabriel Rich of the Alaska State Troopers, Congressman Don Young said in a prepared statement, “I join Alaska with a heavy heart to mourn the tragic loss of Sergeant Patrick Johnson and Trooper Gabriel Rich. These brave men, whose lives were so tragically cut short in the line of duty, truly lived the Alaska State Troopers’ motto to the fullest - loyalty, integrity, and courage. These fallen heroes will forever have a place in the hearts of the more than 300 brothers and sisters in arms they served with and the countless Alaskans they worked to protect.” Young said, “I offer my deepest condolences to the families of the fallen and wish them peace and strength during this very difficult time. An inscription on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. says it well, “The wicked man flees though no-one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion – Proverbs 28.1.”
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