Celebrated NH Fish & Game Officer Retires
Saunders came face-to-face with killer Carl Drega
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
A storied New Hampshire Fish and Game officer recently retired after more than 20 years with the organization. Lt. Wayne Saunders is possibly best remembered in the state for coming face-to-face with killer Carl Drega in 1997. Drega had already killed two police officers, a judge, and a newspaper editor in a rampage when Saunders came upon him under a train trestle. Drega shot Saunders, and the round went through his badge and out his shoulder. Drega was later killed by police. Saunders’ life-saving badge still hangs at NH Fish and Game headquarters. NH Fish and Game and the White Mountain National Forest collaborate on the hiker safety program hikeSafe.