Scott LaCrosse, a conservation officer in New Hampshire, starred on "North Woods Law." The long-running Animal Planet show has aired 16 seasons and counting, depicting the adventures of the game wardens who patrol the woods in Maine and New Hampshire, helping with search-and-rescue missions, fending off dangerous animals, and keeping wildlife safe from poachers. LaCrosse's most memorable appearance on the show came when he helped search for a missing teen; the wardens were the ones who found the body, confirming that he had died by suicide. LaCrosse comforted the family and, according to the Concord Monitor, was instrumental in securing their permission to feature the story on the show.
LaCrosse retired in 2018 and died shortly after, at the age of 54. Fellow conservation officer Col. Kevin Jordan, who worked with him, told WMUR, "I never dreamed that eight months later I would really lose him. It was tragic."
LaCrosse was a humble man who avoided the attention of the spotlight, even though he appeared on the reality show. Jeff White, the father of the teen whose suicide was featured on "North Woods Law," told the Concord Monitor that LaCrosse never even watched it. "He knew what he did, and he didn't need to see himself on TV," White said, recalling that he'd even offered to lend LaCrosse a copy of the episode on DVD.
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
