Big Island park ranger
shot in self-defense,
affidavit saysRomance brought Georgia
By Suzanne Tswei
native to Hawaii
Star-BulletinA 30-year-old California native arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Big Island park ranger Steve Makuakane-Jarrell said he shot in self-defense, according to an affidavit filed in federal court.
Eugene Frederick Boyce III, described as an unemployed transient, said he shot the ranger Sunday morning during a violent confrontation involving the two men and Boyce's three dogs, according to the affidavit filed yesterday by FBI Special Agent Lisa Nielsen.
Makuakane-Jarrell, a 15-year national park veteran, was killed while investigating a vicious dog complaint at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park, where he worked.
Boyce said he turned the ranger's 9 mm semiautomatic pistol against the ranger during the struggle, "which resulted in the ranger shooting himself," the affidavit says.
But Myron Fuller, FBI special agent in charge, said evidence so far does not support Boyce's claim. Fuller declined further comment.
Makuakane-Jarrell fell to the ground after he was shot, but he was still alive and squirming, the affidavit says. Boyce then shot him until he went limp.
"If I could have I would have emptied the gun, I shot him as many times as I could," the affidavit quotes Boyce as saying. Fuller said Makuakane-Jarrell was shot twice, once in the arm and once in the forehead.
Boyce dragged the body into nearby bushes to hide it, Fuller said. Boyce also hid the gun by burying it and placing a rock on top, he said. After his arrest, Boyce led investigators to the gun, the ranger's hand-held radio and a pepper spray canister.
Boyce fled on foot with his dogs, one of which had been injured and later was abandoned during the flight.
Investigators on Monday released a description of a suspect and asked for the public's help. Rewards totaling $41,000 also were offered.
Boyce was arrested Tuesday evening about 20 miles from the shooting. Fuller credited the quick arrest to a well-coordinated manhunt by federal and county law enforcement agencies and 130 tips from the public.
Boyce is in federal custody without bail on a charge of murdering a federal official engaged in official duties. Conviction on the charge may result in the death penalty, Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Enoki said.
Boyce's three dogs also were in custody, and the injured dog was treated by a veterinarian.
Romance brought Georgia
By Rod Thompson
native to Hawaii
Star-BulletinHILO -- In 1986, Steve Makuakane-Jarrell met the woman from Hawaii who was to become his wife while the two attended national park ranger training at Grand Canyon National Park.
Then known as Steve Jarrell, the Athens, Ga., native and Georgia State Park employee returned to his home state, while Joni Mae Makuakane went back to Hawaii. But a long distance romance continued until Jarrell moved to Hawaii and married Makuakane, taking her name.
Makuakane-Jarrell was killed Sunday at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park in Kona.
The murder was only the fourth in the history of the Park Service, the agency said in a news release yesterday.
A wake service has been set for 7 p.m. tomorrow at Dodo Mortuary in Hilo. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Church of the Holy Apostles. Burial will follow at Mauna Kea Memorial Park.
After serving at Andersonville National Historic Site and the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Georgia, Makuakane-Jarrell came to Hawaii to work at the USS Arizona Memorial and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park before going to Kaloko-Honokohau.
"Steve served to inspire," said Geraldine Bell, superintendent of the Kaloko-Honokohau park.
"A free spirit, loving and kind, Steve was a superb ranger, and a caring individual, husband and father. He leaves a wife and kids, and, as is the National Park Service way, he leaves 18,000 co-workers who all knew him, or of him, and regard him as family," she said.
Makuakane-Jarrell was dedicated to protecting visitors and resources such as geological formations, and rare plants, animals and birds, the park release said.
"His enthusiasm about the national park mission was contagious," the release said.
In addition to his wife, Makuakane-Jarrell is survived by three children, Jamie Makuakane-Salave'a and Kimmerlyn and Brennen Gouveia; father Eugene Jarrell; and brothers Randy and Tim Jarrell.
