Tag Archives: Rocky Fork State Park

News

Deceased State Park Ranger Honored

Presented By Classic Brands

(Columbus) – Natural Resource Officer Jason Lagore, who died in the line of duty earlier this year, was posthumously honored by Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz.  The Director’s Award of Valor was presented to Officer Lagore’s wife in a small ceremony last week.

“Back in February we lost not only a dedicated officer, but a loving husband and devoted father,” Director Mertz said.  “Because of his courage and bravery in the face of danger, there is no one more deserving of this honor.  I am proud of the work he did and the legacy he leaves behind.”
 


Officer Lagore responded to a call on Feb. 23 that two children had fallen through the ice at Rocky Fork State Park in Highland County.  A 13-year-old boy was rescued, a 15-year-old girl died.  During the search, Officer Lagore suffered a medical emergency and was taken to Highland District Hospital in Hillsboro, Ohio, where he was pronounced deceased.
 
Officer Lagore served 15 years with ODNR. He was an innovative member of the team, responsible for the first ODNR K-9 academy and leading the Division of Parks and Watercraft K-9 training program.  He was well respected across the state for his expertise working with K-9s.
 

“For us, this isn’t a job. It’s a mission, a calling. It’s a way to get some grieving family an answer to a mystery and tragedy more quickly.”
-Officer Jason Lagore
 

When he wasn’t proudly serving ODNR, Officer Lagore enjoyed deer and turkey hunting, loved history, and enjoyed vacations with his family. He is survived by his wife Michelle, his two young sons, and his K-9 partner, Sarge who was officially retired from service last week.

Earlier this year ODNR honored three other officers with the Director’s Award of Valor. Officers Jason Keller, Eric Lamb, and Matt Roberts  were recognized for their lifesaving actions after Ohio Wildlife Investigator Kevin Behr was shot while on assignment in December 2020.

News

New Mgr Named For Rocky Fork, Paint Creek & Adams Lake State Parks

Presented By Atomic Speedway

(Georgetown)- The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has named Cory Cover the new park manager at Rocky Fork, Paint Creek, and Adams Lake state parks. As park manager, Cover will be responsible for planning and managing the day-to-day operations of each location, as well as overseeing maintenance for facilities at all three state parks.

“I am looking forward to building relationships and working with the various partners at our parks” said Cover. “Together we can make the visitor experience better for every park user.”

Beginning as a corps member with ODNR’s Ohio Civilian Conservation Corps in 2000, Cover has gone on to build a strong law enforcement career. He has served as a watercraft officer on the Maumee River and since 2016, Cover has served as a Natural Resources Officer Sergeant covering a region that includes East Fork State Park.

Cover holds a Bachelor of Science degree in history from Liberty University, as well as two Associate degrees from Hocking College in recreation and wildlife. He currently lives in Brown County with his wife, Kristan, and four children.

Rocky Fork, Paint Creek, and Adams Lake State Park all offer boating, fishing, hunting, hiking, and more. To learn more about the parks visit ohiodnr.gov.

The ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft provides exceptional outdoor recreation and boating opportunities by balancing outstanding customer service, education, and conservation of Ohio’s 75 state parks and waterways.

Uncategorized

New Dredge Machine Being Installed At Rocky Fork State Park

Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc.

(Hillsboro) — A new, 90-thousand-pound tool has arrived at Rocky Fork State Park to help keep the lake safe for boaters, paddlers, and swimmers.  The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will unload the new dredge machine on August 5, 2021.

“From boating to water skiing, Rocky Fork Lake provides endless water recreation for visitors, no matter what their interest,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said.  “By upgrading the equipment and taking care of this body of water, we are ensuring that it will remain beautiful, welcoming, and safe for years to come.”

Dredging is the removal of sediment that has accumulated on the bottom of a lake.  It helps maintain safe, navigable conditions for boaters. Removing sediment also helps balance nutrient levels, creating a healthier body of water for fishing, swimming, and other water sports. 

“This machine will help us more efficiently care for this beautiful lake,” said ODNR Dredge Program Administrator Thomas Grabow.  “We want to make sure boats can pass through the lake’s narrow channels, and this upgrade will help us do that.”

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 3b747860-0902-35c5-624b-93f85acbbef0.jpg

The new machine was driven approximately 900 miles, from Louisiana to Hillsboro, Ohio.  It was refurbished to replace the 58-year-old model currently in use.

Visitors are welcome to stop by during regular park hours of operation (dawn to dusk) to see the dredge unloaded by crane, assembled, and released into the lake. However, all observation must take place from a parking lot near the campground boat ramp (9800 North Shore Drive), where it is safe to do so.

The ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft provides exceptional outdoor recreation and boating opportunities by balancing outstanding customer service, education, and conservation of Ohio’s 75 state parks and waterways.

Uncategorized

Highland Teen Drowns and ODNR Officer Dies After Rescue Attempt On Broken Ice at Rocky Fork Lake

1 Comment

Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc.

A Highland County teenager drowned and an officer with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources died from a medical emergency Tuesday evening after an attempted rescue when two teens broke through the ice at Rocky Fork State Park Lake.

ODNR officials say the incident occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The 16-year-old drowning victim was a female and the ODNR Officer was identified as Jason Lagore. The name of the teenage girl has not been released. Her body was recovered at approximately 11;00 P.M. Tuesday.

A 13-year-old boy rescued himself from the ice and water and was taken to a hospital for treatment of hypothermia. His condition was not known.

During the four-hour rescue, Natural Resource Officer Jason Lagore suffered a medical emergency and was taken to Highland District Hospital in Hillsboro, where he was pronounced dead.

In honor of the life and service of Ohio Department of Natural Resources Officer Jason Lagore, Governor DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds in Highland County, and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus. Flags should remain lowered until sunset on the day of Officer Lagore’s funeral.

All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly U.S. and Ohio flags at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period. 

This order will run concurrently with yesterday’s order to lower flags in honor of the more than 500,000 Americans who died due to COVID-19. Flags on public buildings and grounds in Highland County and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes State Office Tower should remain lowered after February 26, 2021, if Officer Lagore’s funeral has not yet taken place.