Four Corners Manhunt, part one

Originally published on June 8, 2007. In the light of this week’s news that the probable remains of fugitive Jason Wayne McVean, as well as an AK-47 and 500 rounds of ammunition, were found in the Four Corners area, I thought it would be fun to re-visit my short experience covering that story. Here’s part one from my May 29, 1998, journal entry, which takes you into the decision-making process on that day. Work calls at noon: “There’s been a shootout down in the Four-Corners area. Some Thelma & Louise type thing. They want someone who’s an expert at transmitting to go.” I shower quick, kiss the kids, and get to the office. We’re going to fly in a small plane, but the details are still being worked. I find out a little more about what happened. A cop pulled over a stolen truck and the occupants unloaded on him with machine guns. The cops chased the guys into some desert canyons, where they escaped on foot. One cop dead, two wounded. A huge manhunt is on. One of the editors wants us to fly over the area and get a shot of a search plane or helicopter from above, showing the wilderness below it. The problem is, the air space is probably sealed off to civilian traffic. If not, it’s still a very large area they’re searching. Sixty square miles. The odds of getting that shot seem small to me. Then the pilot calls and says the ride will be too bumpy for the small plane. It’s going to take bigger plane, one that you can’t photograph easily from. She asks how strong our stomachs are and if we’ll puke in the bumpy plane, which is going to 600 extra dollars. Someone suggests we fly commercial, but the flight doesn’t leave until 5 p.m. I point out we could be in Moab by 5 p.m. if we drove. We decide to drive. We’ve lost an hour just talking and still have to convince an editor to approve the trip. We all convene in his office. “This is the dumbest f*ing idea I’ve heard all week!” he says. “Well, I’m glad to be a part of that,” says the reporter, who really wants to go. The editor’s argument is that a cop getting shot doesn’t mean any more than anyone else getting shot, and we don’t run out on every one of those. Also, the shooting occurred in Colorado, not Utah. The reporter argues back valiantly. Towards the end, he says, “I’ll put two beers and a burger on it. If it doesn’t pan out, I’ll buy.” The editor argues that the odds of getting a great photograph are small. I reply that the odds are zero if we don’t go. The editor is clearly against it, but he defers the decision to the reporter, so we’re on our way to cover the biggest manhunt in the state’s history. As we ran to the car another editor caught up to us. He said, “Regardless of all that — you guys go kick some ass!” part two, Four Corners Manhunt part three, Four Corners Manhunt part four, Four Corners Manhunt