Court Services Officer Curtis Worland Dies During Muskox Attack

WASILLA — Alaska State Troopers Court Services Officer Curtis Worland was killed during a recent musk ox attack near Nome.

According to a press release from the Alaska Department of Public Safety, Worland was attempting to deter a group of musk ox away from the dog kennels at his home when one of the animals attacked. He was declared deceased at the scene.

Worland has served the people of Alaska since December 2009, and he worked at the Nome AST post for the entirety of his career. News of his tragic death quickly spread, promoting an immediate response from DPS.

“Curtis proudly wore the Court Services Officer uniform and honorably served the people of Alaska for 13 years. He was a proud member of the Nome community and a dedicated member of the Alaska law enforcement family,” DPS Commissioner James Cockrell stated in the press release. “I hope that Alaskans will keep Curtis’ family, friends, loved ones, and the Alaska State Troopers in your thoughts as we process this tragic loss for our state. He will be sorely missed by the DPS family.”

DPS issued further details of the incident in an email statement following the press release.

Nome-based Troopers were notified by a citizen that Worland was located near his property on the Teller Highway with a serious injury around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13. Troopers and Nome Volunteer Fire Fighters responded to the scene.

Worland was found deceased with a significant wound to his leg upon arrival. He was declared deceased at the scene.

Further investigation revealed that Worland was operating a personally owned snowmachine by himself while attempting to haze the group of muskoxen. One of the musk oxen impaled Worland, who discharged his duty weapon, a Glock 22 40 caliber handgun, multiple times.

AST investigated the incident in coordination with the Alaska Wildlife Troopers and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Fish and Game officials and Wildlife Troopers determined that the musk ox that attacked Worland is a threat to public safety and it will be dispatched once located. Personnel from both entities are currently working to track down the animal.

According to the press release, Musk ox attacks on humans are incredibly rare in Alaska, but they are known to attack dogs. This was the first fatal muskox attack in the Nome area that AST is aware of.

Much like Troopers, CSOs are required to be on call to respond to emergencies while they are on their paid break time.

Worland was on a paid break when he was killed, so his untimely demise has been classified has determined to be a line-of-duty death.

Worland is the 69th Alaska law enforcement officer to die in the line of duty. This is the first instance of an Alaskan Court Services Officer perishing while on duty.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@fronitersman.com