WHEREAS,  Maine Game Warden Daryl R. Gordon, of Eagle Lake, was tragically killed in a plane crash in a remote area near Clear Lake in Piscataquis County sometime during the night of March 24, 2011, while serving in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS,  Daryl R. Gordon is the 15th member of the Maine Warden Service who died in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS,  Daryl R. Gordon served with distinction with the Maine Warden Service for 25 years, spending 18 years as a district warden, and his final 7 years as a warden pilot flying out of the George E. Townsend Seaplane Base in Eagle Lake; and

WHEREAS,  Daryl R. Gordon was born in Hartland, graduated from Hartland Academy and served with honor in the United States Marine Corps, serving in Vietnam and receiving the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat; and

WHEREAS,  Daryl R. Gordon also earned numerous commendations while in the United States Marine Corps, including the Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal in 1970; and

WHEREAS,  Daryl R. Gordon joined the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife as a game warden in 1986 at the age of 35, working out of the Calais, Lincoln, Skowhegan and Bingham districts; and

WHEREAS,  Daryl R. Gordon saved many lives and people have had loved ones returned to them through his aerial searches and rescue efforts; and

WHEREAS,  the sudden and shocking death of Game Warden Daryl R. Gordon has saddened not only those whose lives he touched, but the entire State of Maine; now, therefore, be it