State of Wisconsin Files Criminal Complaint Against Park Ranger

MADISON — On February 27, 2012, a criminal complaint was filed in Lafayette County Circuit Court charging Bernard Mark Garvey with one count of pointing a firearm at the person of another. The complaint alleges that the defendant was acting as a park ranger at the Yellowstone State Park located in Lafayette County when he came in contact with an individual who was in the park. A dispute arose with said individual which led to his arrest. The individual, after struggling with the defendant, was handcuffed and placed on a picnic table. This individual then slipped the handcuffs to the front of his body and the defendant drew his service weapon and approached the individual placing the gun right up to the face shield of the individual's motorcycle helmet.

It is alleged that this action was not an authorized use of force by the defendant. An Initial Appearance is scheduled for April 2, 2012, at 11:00 in the Lafayette County Circuit Court at the Lafayette County Courthouse located in Darlington, Wisconsin. The state is represented by Assistant Attorney General Richard J. Dufour.

While the defendant is charged with a criminal offense, he is presumed innocent and the state will have to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at a trial.

A copy of the criminal complaint is available at the following link: