Crime, Law & Justice

41 Days: An OPB Documentary On The Oregon Occupation

Oregon Public Broadcasting | By OPB Staff

Published February 15, 2016 at 9:23 AM PST

David Fry implored law enforcement to shout “hallelujah” as he turned himself in to FBI agents the morning of Feb. 11. Audio of the final moments before Fry went into FBI custody shows agents fulfilling his request, letting out what sound like relieved "hallelujahs".

Fry’s surrender effectively ended the 41-day armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon and weeks of uncertainty for the citizens of Harney County.

OPB was there throughout, getting to know the residents of Harney County and the militants at the refuge. Now, OPB looks back at the nearly six-week occupation in an hour-long special.

What started as a community protest in support of a pair of local ranchers, father and son Dwight and Steven Hammond, ended with an Internet live stream of a 27-year-old Ohioan contemplating suicide, and finally surrendering.

One man died, and 25 other people are charged with crimes related to the occupation.

And after some of the most dramatic and contentious six weeks in Harney County history, the community now looks toward healing.

Listen to the full OPB News documentary special here at the top of the page.

To revisit all of OPB's coverage of the refuge occupation, visit our series page.

Music for the OPB News documentary is courtesy of Melissa Ferrick.

<p>Ammon Bundy, one of the leaders of the armed occupation in Harney County, Oregon, talks tactics with occupiers at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.</p> — Ammon Bundy, one of the leaders of the armed occupation in Harney County, Oregon, talks tactics with occupiers at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

<p>More than 300 people gathered in Burns to march through town, across the packed snow, in protest of the Hammond’s five-year sentence.</p> — More than 300 people gathered in Burns to march through town, across the packed snow, in protest of the Hammond’s five-year sentence on Jan. 2.

<p>Robert "LaVoy" Finicum was the occupation's de facto spokesperson. After he was killed Jan. 26, Finicum became an even more critical figure in the splintered movement.</p> — Robert "LaVoy" Finicum was the occupation's de facto spokesperson. After he was killed Jan. 26, Finicum became an even more critical figure in the splintered movement.

<p>Ryan Bundy told OPB that he and the other armed men occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters will leave if Harney County residents want them to. The self-proclaimed militiamen took over the buildings since Saturday, Jan. 2.</p> — Ryan Bundy told OPB that he and the other armed men occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters will leave if Harney County residents want them to. The self-proclaimed militiamen took over the buildings since Saturday, Jan. 2.

Amanda Peacher

One of the protesters, Dylan Anderson, who gave the name "Captain Moroni," guards the entrance to the refuge. "Moroni" said he was disappointed that more protesters did not arrive after a widespread call on social media.

<p>A new militant from Arkansas guards the entrance to the occupied refuge on Jan. 14.</p> — A new militant from Arkansas guards the entrance to the occupied refuge on Jan. 14.

<p>Kristi Jernigan, Christian missionary from Tennessee, stirs a pot of chili. She stayed at the occupied refuge for about a week before returning home. “I am here strictly to bring people to salvation if that is God’s will,” she said.</p> — Kristi Jernigan, Christian missionary from Tennessee, stirs a pot of chili. She stayed at the occupied refuge for about a week before returning home. “I am here strictly to bring people to salvation if that is God’s will,” she said.

<p>Those who want the armed militants to leave Eastern Oregon's Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon, keep ripping down a sign the occupiers keeps putting back up.</p> — Those who want the armed militants to leave Eastern Oregon's Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon, keep ripping down a sign the occupiers keeps putting back up.

<p>An armed man with a group called the Pacific Patriots Network. The network arrived in Harney County Saturday, Jan. 9, claiming to secure the scene of the occupation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.</p> — An armed man with a group called the Pacific Patriots Network. The network arrived in Harney County Saturday, Jan. 9, claiming to secure the scene of the occupation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

<p>Brandon Curtiss, president of 3% of Idaho, at the Harney County Committee of Safety meeting Friday, Jan. 8, in Burns.</p> — Brandon Curtiss, president of 3% of Idaho, at the Harney County Committee of Safety meeting Friday, Jan. 8, in Burns.

<p>Ammon Bundy removes a fence separating the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge from ranching land.</p> — Ammon Bundy removes a fence separating the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge from ranching land.

<p>The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed that this road within the refuge complex is new construction.</p> — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed that this road within the refuge complex is new construction.

<p>Outdoor enthusiasts gather at The Narrows on the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to protest its occupation by armed militants.</p> — Outdoor enthusiasts gather at The Narrows on the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to protest its occupation by armed militants in January.

<p>A meeting in Burns grew tense on Tuesday, Jan. 19, as community members discussed the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.</p> — A meeting in Burns grew tense on Tuesday, Jan. 19, as community members discussed the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

<p>Harney County Judge Steve Grasty at a community meeting in Burns on Tuesday, Jan. 19.</p> — Harney County Judge Steve Grasty at a community meeting in Burns on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

<p>An FBI guard guides a truck out of the compound near the Burns Airport.</p> — An FBI guard guides a truck out of the compound near the Burns Airport.

<p>FBI officials said any vehicles approaching the checkpoints outside the refuge would be stopped and searched, and all occupants of the vehicles were to present identification.</p> — FBI officials said any vehicles approaching the checkpoints outside the refuge would be stopped and searched, and all occupants of the vehicles were to present identification.

<p>State police at a roadblock near the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.</p> — State police at a roadblock near the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

<p>State troopers monitoring a roadblock near the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.</p> — State troopers monitoring a roadblock near the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

<p>Burns Paiute Tribal Chair Charlotte Roderique watches as the FBI releases video of the traffic stop, which led to the arrest of militant leaders and death of LaVoy Finicum.</p> — Burns Paiute Tribal Chair Charlotte Roderique watches as the FBI releases video of the traffic stop, which led to the arrest of militant leaders and death of LaVoy Finicum.

<p>FBI footage showing the joint FBI and Oregon State Police traffic stop and OSP officer-involved shooting of Robert “LaVoy” Finicum.</p> — FBI footage showing the joint FBI and Oregon State Police traffic stop and OSP officer-involved shooting of Robert “LaVoy” Finicum.

<p>Mourners wore ribbons, and some pinned squares cut from a blue tarp to their coats, a reference to a nickname some gave Finicum during the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.</p> — Mourners wore ribbons, and some pinned squares cut from a blue tarp to their coats, a reference to a nickname some gave Finicum during the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

<p>David Fry, a 27-year-old from Ohio, was one of the last remaining occupiers at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. He surrendered Feb. 11.</p> — David Fry, a 27-year-old from Ohio, was one of the last remaining occupiers at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. He surrendered Feb. 11.

<p>A Washington County Sheriff's vehicle blocks the road leading to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The 41-day armed occupation of the refuge ended Thursday, Feb. 11.</p> — A Washington County Sheriff's vehicle blocks the road leading to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The 41-day armed occupation of the refuge ended Thursday, Feb. 11.

<p>Law enforcement vehicles leave the Burns airport. The armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge ended Thursday, Feb. 11.</p> — Law enforcement vehicles leave the Burns airport. The armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge ended Thursday, Feb. 11.

<p>A law enforcement helicopter takes off from the Burns airport. The armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge ended Thursday, Feb. 11.</p> — A law enforcement helicopter takes off from the Burns airport. The armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge ended Thursday, Feb. 11.

<p>Harney County Sheriff David Ward expressed his thankfulness for the patience and persistence of law enforcement and the community of Burns. The occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge ended Thursday, Feb. 11.</p> — Harney County Sheriff David Ward expressed his thankfulness for the patience and persistence of law enforcement and the community of Burns. The occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge ended Thursday, Feb. 11.