Klamath Falls, in southern Oregon is dryland farming country, dependent upon federal reservoirs for irrigation water. Klamath farmers are among several customers for federally managed water in the region. Among the other water users are fish--notably, in this case, endangered sucker fish and Coho Salmon.

In April, obeying the Endangered Species Act, officials of the bureau of Reclamation closed the headgate of "A" Canal that feeds the Klamath Basin. In late June, thirsty farmers gathered at the headgate and broke it open. The Feds closed and locked it. The farmers returned and, decrying Federal government oppression, unlocked it with a torch. Meanwhile, the local police stood around, refusing to intervene because "no local or state laws," were being broken.

Federal Marshals were called in to protect the headgate. "Environmentalists" also gathered to lend their support to the headgate, and the fish it protects.

Local law enforcement got involved on July 24, in the person of Lt. Jack Redfield, a 39 year veteran of the Klamath Falls police force. Redfield, one of two lieutenants holding second rank on the force and himself a rancher, gathered a number of deputies for a departmental show of solidarity with the encamped farmers. Redfield and his contingent of four police cars plus additional private vehicles drove to the site bearing meat from Redfield's ranch, being donated on behalf of the department.

At the site, where environmentalists and farmers were facing off, overseen by reporters and federal cops, Redfield traded his policeman's hat for a straw cowboy hat, but otherwise wearing his police uniform, read a letter earlier prepared. With the lights from the parked police cars providing a backbeat, Redfield announced that "as the extremists and out-of-control federal agents continue to push and as the agricultural people see their fields turn brown and their entire lives destroyed, their frustrations will undoubtedly escalate to the point of boiling over." Redfield provided examples: "It wont take much from [environmentalists] to spark an extremely violent response. I am talking about rioting, homicides, and destruction of property like dams that hold the precious water from the agricultural community." Redfield is, among other distinctions, an expert of some repute on "no knock," entries and other hard-style police tactics.

Several Klamath Falls officers expressed their dismay at Redfield's remarks. "My job is to protect the people and property of Klamath Falls in a neutral manner, and enforce the laws of this city and state," said a patrolman. "We were told we would be delivering beef, and it had been approved at a higher level than our lieutenants." Others, while not questioning the content of the letter said they didn't know Redfield was actually going to read it.

The City Manager of Klamath Falls immediately repudiated Redfield's speech, saying "The city of Klamath Falls does not endorse those views." Redfield has since been put on paid administrative leave. The Feds have canceled a previously announced reduction in their armed presence in light of this recent development.