The ranger - 55-year-old Kevin Grossheim - had a family of three in his boat and was towing their craft to the mainland in brutal conditions when they capsized.

Flags are flying at half-staff in Minnesota and at national parks across the country for a Voyageurs National Park ranger who died trying to rescue a family of three.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — A park ranger died while trying to save three people during a water rescue at a national park in Minnesota.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — The National Park Service (NPS) is investigating the death of a law enforcement park ranger after the ranger responded to a call for assistance from a distressed vessel. The ranger responded to the civilian vessel in distress on Namakan Lake in Voyageurs National Park, according to NPS.

Flags are flying at half-staff in Minnesota and at national parks across the country for a Voyageurs National Park ranger who died trying to rescue a family of three. Fifty-five-year-old

Kevin was much loved by all and always known to go above and beyond,” said Voyageurs National Park Superintendent Bob DeGross.

Image via NPS A Minnesota park ranger didn't intend to lay down his life when he responded to a distress call of a trapped family. But rarely do heroes know when they're called. The park ranger died trying to save three people trapped on a lake Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota on Sunday,