A TRAGEDY IN OUR BACK YARD

By Sgt. Bill Tyree

In the early morning hours of February 1, 2003 much of the world was awakened by the horrifying news that the Space Shuttle Columbia had exploded across East Texas and Western Louisiana. Agents in Vernon and Sabine Parishes were quickly activated in order to locate and secure pieces of the space shuttle that had littered our domain. Wildlife Agents and local Sheriffs’ Offices began responding to citizen complaints of fallen debris in the parishes. By the end of the day, Agents had located numerous articles of debris and secured them upon the request of NASA. Area lakes were restricted to public use as agents attempted to keep the public out of harms way and to secure evidence. Agents were called in from neighboring parishes to assist in the around the clock operations. For the next two days, Wildlife Agents assisted Hazardous Material teams with LSP and the FBI in locating and securing debris from the space shuttle.

On February 4, 2003, LDWF Enforcement Division, Louisiana State Police, FBI, and the Louisiana National Guard began the huge task of organizing search teams to comb the rural areas of Southern Sabine Parish and Vernon Parish in search of space shuttle debris. We quickly learned that the task ahead of us was to be very demanding. By the use of timber company maps, searchers were broken down into seven teams, with Wildlife Enforcement agents leading each of the teams. Local agents were familiar with the areas and led their search groups by serving as guides. Agents from Region 1 and all across Region 3 were called on to assist in the extensive search. For most of us, our days usually began by 4:00 A.M. and did not conclude until 8:00 P.M. Our search teams consisted of Wildlife Agents, LSP Troopers, FBI Agents, and National Guard Soldiers. All agencies worked very well together as a team and accomplished the mission. For five days, searchers walked side by side through the most remote areas in the parishes locating and securing pieces of the space shuttle. Our search teams made some critical finds which included personal items belonging to the fallen astronauts, one of the main landing gears, and parts of motors. We also found dozens of smaller pieces of debris that were linked to the space shuttle disaster. It was very demanding and grueling work in which very few complaints could be heard. Everyone took this mission as one of the most important tasks in our lives because we were making history by assisting with one of the worst tragedies ever recorded. As our hearts went out to the families of the crew of Columbia, our training and professionalism pushed us forward to accomplish this ever important mission. This multi-agency mission was accomplished due to the great cooperation among the different agencies and excellent coordination of each agency’s assets. As the convoys of Wildlife, LSP, FBI, and Army National Guard units pushed through Vernon Parish, area residents cooperated fully, for they also felt the importance of what we were doing. As soon as the ground search was complete, local Wildlife Agents immediately began assisting dive and sonar teams on Toledo Bend Lake in the search for more shuttle debris. Even though the hours are long and much of the work is very demanding, agents will continue to proudly represent LDWF Enforcement Division for as long as it takes to complete this momentous task.

Payload bay door from the Space Shuttle Columbia, found in southern Sabine Parish

A type of large metal hydraulic instrument from the Space Shuttle Columbia, found in Vernon Parish. 

This piece was buried approximately three feet in the ground.