‘We usually get our man’; Retired Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal weighs in on manhunt for Decker

SPOKANE, Wash. — Matthew Fogg has made a career out of finding people. In his three decades with the U.S. Marshals office, he’s tracked down some of the most high-profile fugitives in the country.

“Four or five from the America’s Most Wanted list,” the former Chief Deputy touted, reflecting back on his time in the force.

Search efforts are intensifying for Travis Decker; the Wenatchee father accused of murdering his three daughters.

Law enforcement is zeroing in on The Enchantments, an extremely popular hiking and camping area in the Cascades, about 20 miles southeast of where Decker’s children were found.

Police have walled off public access to several campgrounds and trails as they comb the area for Decker, a former U.S. Army Ranger with an extensive background in wilderness survival.

“He’s an avid woodsman,” said Fogg. “He knows the terrain. He knows the area. But the bottom line is we do too.”

In manhunts that cover wide-ranging areas, Marshals typically team up with Park Rangers, Fogg says, who have extraordinary knowledge of the landscape.

Police use boats, infrared cameras to pick up heat signals, search dogs, helicopters, and boots on the ground to meticulously comb the area for any signs of life.

“Now the avid woodsman, he’s got to eat, he’s still got to drink water, he’s still got to do things human beings do,” Fogg explained. “So those are the things we’re centering on: where are the water places, where is a place that somebody could go and come out every now and again?”

Police will look for any disturbance to the natural landscape, keeping an eye out for campfire smoke, or scraps of food for example.

The severity of these crimes coupled with Decker’s background pose interesting challenges for police, and the public as a whole. If Decker is still alive, Fogg says they’re dealing with a dangerous mind.

“If he’s killed his own children, there’s nothing that would stop him killing again,” Fogg said. “If he’s done that, nothing is going to get in his way of taking your life.”

On the other hand, Fogg believes if Decker has taken his life by this point, his body won’t register on heat cameras, which could elongate search efforts and reduce the chances of him being found.

“If he went somewhere and hunkered down and killed himself, that might be difficult for them to find until someone comes across a body or [perhaps] animals find him.”

Police say if you see Decker, do not engage with him and immediately call 911.