December 23, 1964 was a little on the brisk side as a large group of grim men prepared for the search in the desert area near Twenty-Nine Palms. Horse trailer ramps raised dust as they dropped to the desert floor, and horses snorted and stomped as they were backed out of trailers and saddled. With the last hoof checked and cleaned with a hoof pick, the last rifle shoved into it's saddle boot and the last loaded revolver holstered and secured with the tie-down, the group was ready to go. Of in the distance, trucks and jeeps were started by those not wanting to ride, and suddenly a deputy was passing out information on the operation. Some of the riders stuffed the fliers in their shirt pockets, right behind the bag of Beechnut chewin' tobacco, while others waved off the invitation of the flyer...they're already memorized the particulars of the operation. There was a jailbreak, the hunt was on for the mythical criminal who had escaped from Glen Helen. He kidnapped his girlfriend, later murdered her and then escaped into the local mountains. Shots were already fired at one posse. As the group gathered for one last set of instructions, some looked regrettably as the fresh cup of hot coffee in their hands and tossed it aside. Others locked up their vehicles...there was no telling how long that they would be gone. Then they set off, on horseback and by vehicles, into the sharp desert rocks as the sun rose above the horizon. The "manhunt" had begun. The men caught up with the murderer after a day and a night in the chilly desert. The incident came to a climax...or a close, with his hanging! Reading the suspect his Miranda Rights and having a brief desert trial first, of course. The group was called the Rangers and within hours they were loaded up and heading home. They just finished their latest training scenario.
It was Nov 8, 1964, when Captain Leon Ellis, Commander of Victorville Substation of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department swore in the first members of the Wrightwood Rangers. On the day of the first swearing in were Wrightwood residents Julian Odom, Julian White, Chuck Webb, Chuck Lovers, Joe Templeton and William "Bill" Smith.
The Wrightwood Rangers became a unit of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Reserve and were a search and rescue team. Assigned to train them and assist them in their duties were area Inspector Floyd Tidwell (who later became sheriff), Captain Leon Ellis of the Victorville Substation, Commander Wally Watkins of the Sheriff's Reserves and then Wrightwood resident deputy Clennie Banks. Trained and experienced, these rangers joined the ranks of other such groups in Big bear, Apply Valley, Twenty-nine Palms, Victorville, Needles and Yucca Valley. Each group had their own unique functions, which included Underwater Teams, Aero Squad, Horse posse and Mountain Search and Rescue. Wrightwood Rangers and Big bear were the search and rescue. In 1958 Sheriff Frank Bland initiated the organization. The Wrightwood Rangers were the fifteenth to join the force. Like the other countywide units, Wrightwood Rangers were considered reservists and they all furnished their own gear, vehicles, uniforms and horses.
Like other Sheriff Reservists, they were on their way. After their swearing in, their next meeting place was very ironic....in the donut shop at Mary's Bakery. After talking to two old members of the Wrightwood Rangers, this author realized the importance of such a group, no matter the donut shop humor. Over the years their assignments covered several rescues in the rough San Gabriel Mountain area, which included locating and assisting missing and inured horsemen, hikers and skiers. They dealt with the seriousness of airplane crashes, accidental gunshot victims, and the unfortunate recovery of the dead. At times they made a personal assistance to the community itself in a way of hosting BBQ's, flood control work and helping clean up the old Community Building. Their area covered Upper and Lower Swarthout, Blue Ridge, Mount Baldy, Prairie Fork, Mt Baden Powell and Cajon Pass. Sometimes they mobilized and joined other such units in San Bernardino County and Los Angeles County.
On July 31, 1965, WW Rangers assist San Bernardino County Sheriff's when a hiker discovered the remains of a small airplane crash two miles south of Big Pines Ranger Station on Hwy 2, and 2000 feet northwest of Inspiration Point. The downed aircraft turned out to be a private plane that had been reported missing since December 31, 1964. The crew were airmen. After the arrival of the U.S. Air Force, the remains of pilot A/2C Allen L. Jaeger, and passenger M/Sgt. Gerald W. Henderson, were removed and taken away for proper burial.
