Ranger Cody Marsh named BLM 2022 Ranger of the Year

In a ceremony at the Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior Building in Washington D.C. on Thursday, March 12, the Bureau of Land Management officially announced that BLM Moab Field Office Ranger Cody Marsh had been named the BLM Ranger of the Year for 2022. Ranger of the Year award criteria include outstanding performance directly enhancing the protection of public lands and its visitors, demonstrating outstanding leadership and ethical qualities, fostering outstanding working relationships, and demonstrating an unusual degree of courage, stamina or willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty, and/or exceptional/heroic achievement. Ranger Marsh was recognized for his work in each category. 

“Cody Marsh is a true law enforcement professional. He takes pride in the BLM Ranger program, and this shows in his appearance, work ethic and positive attitude,” said Dave Hoeper, BLM Supervisory Law Enforcement Ranger in Cody’s nomination for the award. “Ranger Marsh treats everyone with respect at all times. He enforces laws and regulations fairly, but with compassion and empathy. He is honest, and his word carries a high currency among his peers and agency partners.”

“Cody Marsh is a true law enforcement professional. He takes pride in the BLM Ranger program, and this shows in his appearance, work ethic and positive attitude,” said Dave Hoeper, BLM Supervisory Law Enforcement Ranger in Cody’s nomination for the award. “Ranger Marsh treats everyone with respect at all times. He enforces laws and regulations fairly, but with compassion and empathy. He is honest, and his word carries a high currency among his peers and agency partners.”

In addition to being praised for his professionalism, Marsh was also recognized for his mentorship of other rangers, investigative skills, willingness to lend a hand to those in need, and work with search and rescue. Marsh is an emergency medical technician (EMT) and frequently assists the Grand County Search and Rescue Team, especially during high-angle rescue efforts. In March of 2021, Marsh answered a call for EMT assistance and spent more than two weeks working in Reno, Nevada. During this assignment, he administered more than 1,000 COVID-19 vaccinations. Marsh regularly works extremely long days any time that his service is needed. Marsh also served as the initial security manager during the Pack Creek Fire, which impacted the Moab community.

In addition to answering visitor questions and providing a friendly welcome to visitors to public lands, Marsh provides life-saving support when needed. One visitor wrote an email to the BLM Moab Field Office in August of 2021 thanking an unnamed ranger, the unnamed ranger was Ranger Marsh:

"This message is written with gratitude for the life-saving assistance provided to me today by a ranger from your office who responded to the SOS call emitted from my emergency satellite communicator. 

I was solo hiking near Grandstaff Canyon Trail when I became weak and disoriented. While at a stream crossing, I made a wrong turn. I was lost in a remote area, and out of water when I messaged for help. Expecting it would take hours for assistance to arrive, I was enormously relieved to hear the rangers voice calling out in just over an hour.

I immediately felt safe in the presence of his professionalism and calm demeanor. 

He guided me to safety, providing assistance as needed, and making sure I stopped for rest and hydration along the way. 

I know that this kind ranger introduced himself, however I am unable to recall his name. I write this with the hope that your office has record of this SOS call, and that he is recognized for quite literally, saving my life today."

We hope that next time you see him patrolling, whether on foot, bicycle, UTV, dirt bike, or in his patrol truck you say hello! The BLM team is grateful for all Ranger Cody Marsh does in support of public lands and in service of the American public, and we are happy to celebrate him as BLM Ranger of the Year.