NPS Special Agent Dies on Yosemite Trail

A National Park Service Special Agent has died in Yosemite National Park while ascending the Mist Trail to investigate the fatality of a park visitor. Special Agent Paul Madrid died on September 24 after collapsing on the trail below Vernal Fall.
The 51-year-old is the first NPS Special Agent to die in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca, and two adult-aged children.
Madrid was based out of the NPS's Midwest Region at Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri. He was on a temporary assignment to the Pacific West Region at Yosemite to help fill in for rangers who were sent to the Gulf Coast to assist with hurricane response efforts.