National Park Ranger Lachowski a local hero
By Jane Greiner
Sun contributor
You may not realize it, but the young man wearing the flat brimmed ranger hat and directing traffic at an accident scene, or politely answering your questions about the nearest Lake access, or heaven forbid, handing you a warning that you need a Park pass to recreate in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, may in fact be much more than you assume. He may be a local hero.
U.S. Park Ranger Henry J. (Joe) Lachowski was presented with an award for valor by the Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewel in a ceremony on May 8 in Washington, D.C. The Valor Award honors employees of the Department of the Interior who risk their own lives while attempting to save the life of another.
Lachowski was one of 17 Valor Award recipients who demonstrated unusual courage in the face of danger. His award was for his efforts to rescue a man two summers ago in Lake Michigan. The man had been swept out from shore by strong rip currents at Peterson Beach during a sunny but windy day on Lake Michigan.
The incident was described as follows:
“Park Ranger Henry Lachowski from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore ventured into rough water twice to locate and rescue a missing swimmer. He made every effort to save the swimmer but even advanced life support measures were unsuccessful … For bravery in his effort to save a life and prevent harm to others, Henry Joseph Lachowski is granted the Valor Award of the Department of the Interior.”
Looking back on that day Lachowski says he remembers most the National Park Service and the Benzie County EMS working together.
“It was an honor to meet the Secretary and the Director and to be recognized for doing our job,” said Lachowski of the ceremony in D.C. Additionally, he said, it was nice to be at a gathering where he saw many of his former co-workers and friends from all over the country.
Of the 16 other heroes honored in D.C., National Park Service director Jonathan B. Jarvis said, “These heroes rappelled from helicopters, scaled cliffs, swam through rapids, and protected park visitors from hazards. They put their own lives in peril to help others. Yet, each one of them would humbly say they were simply doing their jobs. Their passion to serve others is inspiring.”
With the award ceremony behind him, Lachowski is back on the job working out of the office at Platte River Campground where he is now acting supervisor of law enforcement. Lachowski lives in Empire township with his girlfriend Jennifer Langel (also a U.S. Park Ranger specializing in law enforcement and emergency services), and their two rescue Newfoundland dogs, Bean and Bosco.
Lachowski has been in public service for many years. He started as a wildland firefighter in Utah, then joined the National Park Service and worked out of Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park as a wildland fire fighter.
Always intent on maintaining high standards, Lachowski keeps his EMT Intermediate certifications up to date through constant training. He also keeps his firefighting skills current and teaches classes to other firefighters at an annual gathering in Arizona. He also trains as part of a special response team called the Midwest Incident Response Team, which is called upon to manage special large-scale events and to help out after disasters. As part of that team, Lachowski spent a month in New York helping manage Park Service units in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Next time you see Lachowski, give him a salute, a handshake, or a friendly smile and thank him for his service. Or if you see a flat brimmed ranger hat coming toward you, worn by a Ranger unknown to you, remember that there are many sides to every Ranger working in the Lakeshore. U.S. Park Rangers work not only to maintain order, they also assist, save and protect us, the public, in countless ways that we may not even be aware of. We are fortunate to have them. We are lucky to have good men and women like Ranger Joe Lachowski in our midst, serving and protecting not only our beautiful National Park, but also our own personal safety.
