 
After
graduating from Stevenson High School in 1959, Arthur Wayne Skaar enlisted
in the United States Navy. After four years of Navy life Art returned
home, and by early 1966 became engaged to marry Stevenson resident Wilma
Hansen. Their wedding was planned for August 1966.
By the Spring of 1966, Art had been hired as a Deputy Sheriff for Skamania
County. Art was proud to hold the position of Deputy Sheriff, and looked
forward to serving his community.
On June 13th, 1966, Art was scheduled to work the swing shift. Prior to the
start of his shift Art had lunch with his parents, Clarence and Edna
Skaar.
Unbeknownst to them, this would be their last meal together.
Shortly
after the start of his shift, Art was dispatched to the west end of
Skamania County. A Mrs. Juanita Ahrendt had called the Sheriff's Office to
report she was having trouble with her 15 year old son, John. Apparently
John had been drinking alcohol, and she needed help dealing with him.
During
the short time Art had been employed as a Deputy, he had learned a greater
part of his job was conflict resolution. He might have had to make an
arrest from time to time, but his wish was to bring peace back to a broken
or dysfunctional home.
Art
had prepared himself for a teenager that had been drinking, and disobeying
his mother. Art had probably responded to these calls before, and believed
there would be many more during his law enforcement career.
In
1966, Skamania County's radio system would not cover most of the county. In
fact, shortly after Art left radio range, his dispatch received another
call from Mrs. Ahrendt. She reported John now had a rifle and was
threatening to use it if officers responded. Art was heading into an
ambush, and there was no way to warn him.
Washington
State Patrol Trooper Dick Arnold was informed of the situation, and
responded from Stevenson, attempting to catch Art. Trooper Arnold
responded at speeds in excess of 100 mph, making numerous attempts to
contact Deputy Skaar by every means possible.
When
Art arrived at the Ahrendt home, he exited his patrol car for the last
time. As Art took his last steps toward the front of the house, he was
likely planning to counsel the young man about his need to obey his mother, and
that he should not be
drinking alcohol at his age. As Art walked up to the door, taking his last
few breaths on this earth, he was planning to soon be helping someone in
need.
Inside
the home was John Ahrendt. As he watched Art approach the door, he raised
his 30.06 rifle and took aim through a window in the door. One shot rang
out. The bullet struck Art in the neck, ending his life.
A
short time later, Trooper Arnold arrived to find Art's body, just outside
the door of the home.
A brother, a son, a fiancée, a friend, a public servant, gone
forever.
But is he really? Art is on the minds of each and every Skamania County
Sheriff's Office employee. We have each responded to calls, or dispatched
others to calls similar to this incident. We have approached doors on
"routine" calls, paused, and stepped to the side to take that
extra moment to listen to what is happening inside. Deputy Skaar only had
a few months to serve his community in life, but in memory he will
continue to serve.
Arthur
Wayne Skaar, you will be with us forever.
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