Print edition: 
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks employees are trying to cope with Saturday's death of Luke Nihart.
Nihart, a park ranger, is thought to be only the third law enforcement officer to die in the line of duty in the department's more than 100 years.
A 32-year-old father of two, Nihart died in an ATV accident at Tuttle Creek State Park. He was ending his shift at last week's Country Stampede when he rolled the four-wheeler at about 3 a.m.
"You just never anticipate anything like this ever happening, and fortunately it very rarely does," said Jerry Hover, state parks director.
"He was a very sharp guy, very up and coming. It's tough to deal with."
Nihart's death is the first for an on-duty officer since 1974, when game warden Elmer Nonnast died from a heart attack after an altercation with illegal fishermen on the Arkansas River.
In 1916 a game warden was shot and killed by a poacher in Shawnee County.
Nihart lived near St. George and was raised in nearby Wamego. He was educated at Kansas State University and had been with the parks department for about 10 years. Most of his career was spent as a park ranger at Tuttle Creek State Park.
In 2005 Nihart was recognized for valor after helping with a bad-weather rescue of boaters stranded on Tuttle Creek Lake.
Todd Lovin, Tuttle Creek State Park manager, said Nihart was also noted for beginning and maintaining annual special events for youth and disabled turkey hunters in the area.
Nihart was one of about 20 Wildlife and Parks employees who worked the country music event that ran last Thursday through Sunday.
Hover said Nihart was driving into an area near the park's maintenance building when he rolled the ATV as he went around a curve.
"Nobody actually saw what happened," Hover said, "but some heard what they thought was a crash and went to investigate."
Nihart died at a Manhattan hospital about two hours later.
He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Hover said autopsy results are pending.
"He made the decision not to wear it to be more people-friendly and to hear more of what's going on," Hover said.
Keith Sexson, assistant secretary for Wildlife and Parks, said the department furnishes safety training and safety equipment to employees. Use of the equipment is voluntary, he said.
Sexson said ATVs are widely used by biologists, game wardens and public land managers.
"We put thousands of hours on ATVs every year," Sexson said. "I guess accidents happen. Sometimes things don't work out for the best."
Services are set for 11 a.m. Thursday at Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego.
Survivors include his wife, Keri, and two children, Hunter and Brooke.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Nihart Children Education Fund, Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.
