LAFAYETTE, CO – A Colorado park ranger who claimed he was stabbed while on duty in what authorities now call an “elaborate hoax” had previously failed to complete police training due to performance deficiencies, newly released records show.
Callum Heskett, 27, made headlines earlier this month when he reported being attacked and stabbed by an unknown assailant while patrolling a remote section of Rocky Mountain National Park. The incident triggered a massive manhunt and heightened security concerns across Colorado’s park system before investigators determined the wounds were self-inflicted.
Documents obtained through public records requests reveal that Heskett had attempted to join the Lafayette Police Department in 2023 but was dismissed from the academy after failing to demonstrate “sufficient proficiency in critical areas needed to be a police officer,” according to Lafayette Police Chief Rick Bashor.
The revelation adds another layer to an already troubling case that has shaken public trust in park safety personnel. Heskett initially told investigators he was stabbed multiple times by a masked attacker who fled into the wilderness, prompting a multi-agency search involving helicopters, K-9 units, and dozens of officers.
For nearly 48 hours, hikers and campers were warned to stay vigilant as authorities searched for what they described as a dangerous individual targeting law enforcement. Park visitation dropped significantly as news of the alleged attack spread through social media and local news outlets.
However, investigators began noticing inconsistencies in Heskett’s account almost immediately. Security footage from nearby trail cameras failed to show anyone else in the area during the time of the alleged attack, and forensic evidence at the scene didn’t match Heskett’s version of events.
The location of the wounds, the blood spatter patterns, and the lack of defensive injuries all pointed to self-infliction, according to investigators familiar with the case. When confronted with the evidence, Heskett eventually admitted to fabricating the entire incident.
Training records from the Lafayette Police Academy show Heskett struggled with decision-making under pressure, failed multiple scenario-based evaluations, and received concerning psychological evaluation scores. Instructors noted issues with truthfulness during training exercises and an inability to accept constructive criticism.
“These deficiencies were significant enough that we could not in good conscience certify him as a police officer,” Chief Bashor stated in a written response to media inquiries. The department confirmed Heskett was counseled out of the program after six weeks of the 20-week academy.
Following his dismissal from the police academy, Heskett applied for positions with several law enforcement agencies across Colorado, including park ranger positions that required less stringent certification requirements. He was hired by the National Park Service in early 2025.
The Park Service has launched an internal review of its hiring practices and background check procedures. Questions have been raised about whether Heskett’s dismissal from police training should have disqualified him from ranger positions that include law enforcement responsibilities.
Heskett now faces multiple criminal charges including false reporting, tampering with evidence, and attempting to influence a public servant. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to six years in state prison and substantial fines.
The fabricated attack cost taxpayers an estimated $180,000 in search and rescue resources, overtime pay for law enforcement personnel, and helicopter operations. Several Colorado counties are considering civil litigation to recover these costs from Heskett.
Park visitors who changed or cancelled their plans due to safety concerns have expressed anger over the deception. Local tourism officials report that several large group reservations were cancelled in the days following the false report, resulting in significant economic losses for nearby communities.
Mental health experts familiar with such cases suggest that individuals who fabricate attacks often seek attention, sympathy, or validation they feel is lacking in their lives. The pressure of failing in law enforcement training may have contributed to Heskett’s actions, though this doesn’t excuse the criminal behavior.
The incident has prompted the National Park Service to review its protocols for responding to reported attacks on rangers. New procedures may include mandatory polygraph examinations and more thorough scene documentation to quickly identify potential false reports.
Heskett’s attorney has indicated his client is seeking mental health treatment and is “deeply remorseful” for his actions. A plea deal is reportedly being negotiated that would include restitution payments and mandatory psychological counseling.
The Colorado Rangers Lodge, a fraternal organization for park law enforcement, has condemned Heskett’s actions and emphasized that his behavior doesn’t reflect the integrity of the thousands of rangers who serve honestly across the state’s parks and wilderness areas.
Other rangers have expressed concern that the hoax could make it harder for legitimate victims of assault to be believed and might discourage rangers from reporting actual attacks they experience while on duty.
As the case moves through the legal system, it serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of thorough background checks and the potential consequences of placing unqualified individuals in positions of public trust and authority.
