ALBERTA - Detective Sergeant Kelly Moran
Detective Sergeant Kelly Moran was originally hired to the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Branch (FWEB) in 2000, and he worked in a variety of locations during the first 10 years of his career.
In December 2011, he was promoted to the role of Investigator/Detective with the Major Investigations and Intelligence Unit. Since his promotion, Kelly has made outstanding contributions to the
investigative capabilities of the FWEB. He has shown exceptional leadership and ingenuity in the performance of his investigative duties and has directly contributed to establishing the FWEB as
one of the preeminent resource enforcement agencies in Canada. He consistently works through complicated processes involving other jurisdictions, complex documents, and complicated judicial processes
to see these files to completion. His dedication and determination for success has resulted in many completed cases. Kelly has also been an advocate for innovative sentencing and supports the FWEB's
efforts in maintaining a world class forensic lab. In a two-week period in January of this year, he managed to secure $27,500 of judicial orders that went towards the branch's forensic lab; and he
continues to see significant monies directed to the lab through this process. Kelly's tenacity and hard work contributes to the success of the branch and are contributing factors on why he was the
successful 2020 Officer of the Year for the Alberta FWEB.
COLORADO - Officer Mike Swaro
Mike Swaro was destined to become a game warden. His father was a game warden in Ohio for 17 years before settling down in Salida, Colorado. Mike knew early on that he wanted to follow in his
father's footsteps. During his first year assigned to the Meeker West district, he excelled by handling the challenges of working in the Piceance Basin, home to Colorado's largest migratory mule
deer herd and heart of Colorado's booming natural gas industry. Mike coordinated a large plain-clothes operation resulting in the successful prosecution of several individuals using wrong licenses
to harvest multiple elk. When Mike transferred to the Maybell district, he created a successful youth turkey hunt that continues to this day. In 2016, Mike became the first Assistant Area Wildlife
Manager in the state. He has sat on numerous committees and is a member of CPW's Honor Guard. Mike currently sits as the President of Colorado Wildlife Employees Protective Association and has
won the CPW's Field Training Officer of the Year award. Mike's true passion lies within further promotion of hunter outreach. He also dedicates time to coach little league baseball, peewee football,
and attend his girls' recitals, concerts, and games. Mike serves as a mentor in the community, teaching kids about wildlife and young adults who have an interest in pursuing a career in wildlife
management by spending time in classrooms at all levels.
ILLINOIS - Conservation Police Officer Heath Tepovich
Conservation Police Officer Heath Tepovich constantly goes above and beyond in his approach to his duties. Heath is supportive to the field officers' needs and is always assisting field officers with
cases and providing pivotal information. His high-level of professionalism is shown in his body of work. He is self-motivated, proficient, and diligent. Heath will abruptly stop what he is engaged in
to assist other agencies. He has been involved in cases and investigations dealing with environmental crimes, aquatic life dealer licenses, illegal outfitting, wildlife trafficking, and suspended
wildlife privileges. He has also participated in ongoing investigations with other states, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Fish & Wildlife, Homeland
Security, and Canada. Our outside partners in Law Enforcement, continuously praise Heath for his assistance. This is a testament to Heath's competence, timeliness, willingness, knowledge, and pride
in carrying out his assigned duties. Heath is an integral part of the Illinois Conservation Police's operational foundation.
INDIANA - Officer Jordan Brand
Jordan Brand began his law enforcement career as a Ball State University Police Officer where he worked for nearly three years, until he hired on as an Indiana Conservation Officer in 2014. Jordan
is an avid deer, waterfowl, and turkey hunter and fishes on occasion when afforded the opportunity. He has quickly become a leader and role model for fellow officers. Jordan was selected to become
a K-9 handler in 2016, and he and his K-9 partner are known for their tracking and locating abilities. In 2017, Jordan was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Beyond the Badge
basketball tournament which teamed up local law enforcement agencies in Delaware County with members of the Road to Redemption support group for individuals recovering from addiction. The program
also caught the eye of Division HQ staff as well as Governor Holcomb. Jordan is a positive role model with schools and civic groups, and he truly embodies the model of the "Game Warden" in his passion
for conservation law enforcement. He continues to excel and lead his district in fish and wildlife law enforcement cases; and he maintains a good working relationship with all the local agencies in
addition to all our personnel. Jordan embodies the core values of an Indiana Conservation Officer.
KANSAS - Game Warden Ross Uhrmacher
Warden Ross Uhrmacher received the Kansas Game Warden Officer of the Year award in 2019. His knowledge, understanding, reasoning, and skill shows through time after time, and he has been involved in
many situations that proved his abilities. Ross is always willing to help constituents, agency partners, and other law enforcement officers with any situations. He was pivotal in the rescue of an
elderly man during a flooding situation, and he worked with local firefighters to navigate swift water to make the save. During the same flooding occurrences, he navigated flood waters to check
flooded campers for stranded constituents and drove utility workers down the line to check electrical wiring. Ross always maintains a good attitude, is pleasant to be around, and works tirelessly to
accomplish agency and local goals. He also works with the Hunters Education program and other local entities. Working with Ross is a true blessing, and Kansas is very proud to have him.
MICHIGAN - Conservation Officer Mike Hearn
Conservation Officer Mike Hearn is very involved in his local community, and he takes every opportunity to educate the public on the rules and regulations before enforcement action is taken. Mike is a
precision drive instructor and field training officer; and he recently completed the area law supervisor mentoring program. During past law enforcement academy classes, he has assisted with instruction
of recruits during the breakout session for off-road vehicle operations. He has made numerous fish and wildlife cases over the years. Mike has extensive knowledge of marine, snowmobile, off-road vehicles,
and general criminal enforcement. He takes great pride in closing out complaints and completing detailed case reports in a timely manner. In July 2019, he was awarded the Certificate of Merit for his role
in the rescue of two teens that were kidnapped from their school. Mike was able to quickly resolve this situation without any injuries. He also excels in his administrative duties. Mike encourages and
motivates the officers he works with, and he has been a leader in OWI enforcement for the entire division.
MINNESOTA - Conservation Officer Tom Hutchins
Conservation Officer Tom Hutchins has been a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officer since 2004. Before joining the Minnesota DNR, he was a police officer with the
Minneapolis Police Department (1997-2004) and a part-time officer with the Owatonna Police Department (1997). He received his criminal justice degree from the University of St. Thomas and attended the
law enforcement skills program at the Alexandria Technical College. He currently patrols the Crookston station, which includes all or part of three counties in northwestern Minnesota. The Crookston
station offers a wide variety of enforcement activity based on its changing landscapes. Tom patrolled the Albert Lea station in southern Minnesota from 2004 to 2012. Tom was named the 2019 Minnesota
Conservation Officer of the Year, and he reflects these values in his strong work ethic and serves as an example to all conservation officers across Minnesota. He has contributed to the future of the
DNR Enforcement Division through his efforts as an instructor at the Conservation Officer Academy and as a field training officer. He handles these additional tasks all while maintaining a high level
of enforcement presence in his assigned station. Tom's hobbies include hunting, fishing, taking care of horses, traveling, and working on his hobby farm.
MISSOURI - Conservation Agent Eric Long
Agent Eric Long has been a dedicated conservation agent in Reynolds County for 14 years and is a consummate professional with a positive attitude. Eric is willing to identify, tackle, and solve any
problem within the Department and is well known and respected by his peers and supervisors throughout the Department. He exemplifies the very best attributes of all areas of responsibility required
of the conservation agent position. In addition to resource law enforcement, he is a very active member of his community where he volunteers at his local library and works with local schools to bring
hunter education front and center. He serves as a Defensive Tactics Instructor Trainer in edged weapons, ground avoidance, and threat pattern recognition. Eric's career as a conservation agent can be
summed up in three words: dedication, consistency, and professionalism. He excels in all aspects that are required to be an extraordinary conservation agent through his knowledge, work ethic, and
committed dedication to his career calling. Eric's performance represents excellence in a highly successful community policing program which is essential to building support for the Missouri
Department of Conservation's overall mission and strategic goals.
NORTH DAKOTA - District Game Warden Art Cox
District Game Warden Art Cox covers a large district which requires energy and dedication because the elk, deer bow, pronghorn, grouse/partridge, waterfowl, fishing, and pheasant seasons overlap. Art is
often pulled in different directions but always finds a way to get his mission completed. He also has a great relationship with the public and landowners in his district. After taking the landowners'
concerns into consideration, Art put a plan in place with the use of the enforcement pilot and other wardens to ensure a strong enforcement presence for the 2019 pronghorn season. He received North
Dakota's Game Warden of the Year award in 2019. Over the last year, he has completed extensive investigations which included hunting on posted land and illegal taking of big game resulting in numerous
citations and evidence seized. Art strives to improve his skills as a game warden, and he has dedicated countless hours to ensure the safety of the boaters on the Missouri River and in his district. He
is great at working with his fellow wardens and responds to any call for assistance from fellow wardens as well as other local and state law enforcement agencies. Art is well known in the community as
a hunter safety instructor, and he organized the Bowman program. He also volunteers with the high school golf team and is a volunteer fireman.
OHIO - Wildlife Officer Dirk Cochran
Dirk Cochran is a highly motivated steady performer with a strong sense of service, and he can always be counted on to get the job done. Dirk has over 30 years of state service, with 24 of those years
in law enforcement. He is a graduate of the 1996 Wildlife Officer Academy and was assigned to Van Wert County, as well as Morrow County, prior to being promoted to an investigator position. In 2013
Dirk was promoted to the position of Law Enforcement Program Administrator in the headquarters. In this role he oversees and manages our Record Management System, pollution investigation program, hunter
incident investigations, public records, and the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. Dirk is an integral part of the team, working diligently behind the scenes to ensure that many details are covered
to allow our officers to perform their duties. He serves in a pivotal role in the development, drafting, and implementation of the Ohio Revised Code through the Ohio Wildlife Council; and he has intimate
knowledge of the laws and rules. Dirk has served on a national level by participating in NACLEC and by serving in several roles on the board of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, including chair.
His leadership has greatly improved the use and understanding of the compact across the country.
OKLAHOMA - Game Warden Casey Young
Game Warden Casey Young's character traits, work ethic, and allegiance to our wildlife resource are outstanding. Casey is always willing to put himself second and his fellow wardens, the sportsmen, and
the Department's mission first. He routinely resolves conflicts and handles difficult situations with remarkable patience and exquisite judgment. His dependability in this area is unsurpassed. Casey not
only goes out of his way to set the example in these areas but does it with a smile and a contagious spirit of enthusiasm. He has responded to and dealt with a variety of situations to include lifesaving
efforts for victims of a car accident to apprehending an individual who was brandishing a knife. Casey works tirelessly to ensure everyone he works with is appreciated, and he encourages those around
him to strive to achieve more than just what is expected of them. His efforts have unquestionably touched the lives of thousands of Oklahomans.
ONTARIO - Officer Mike Schenk
Mike Schenk started his career with the ministry 1980 when he worked as a Junior Ranger out of Burt Lake JR Camp in Kirkland Lake District. He got on a Fire Crew in 1984 with the Cochrane District as a
fire crewman. He continued to work the summer months in Cochrane and Bracebridge in the Fire, Science and Forest Management programs of the MNR while attending college in Lindsey. Mike eventually graduated
in 1986 from Sir Sanford Fleming College as a Forest Technologist. He moved to Parry Sound in 1986 to work as an MNR Fire Prevention Officer where he received his first taste of enforcement work and became
hooked. Mike was appointed as a Deputy Conservation Officer in 1987 under the sponsorship of Parry Sound Conservation Officer and in 1999 Mike had gained enough experience to successfully compete for a
full time CO position in Chapleau, eventually moving his young family to the North Bay area where his continues to work today. Mike Schenk has proven time and time again his desire to ensure the natural
resources of this Province are protected at all costs. He has logged countless hours in uniform and plain clothes, working on all aspects of Natural Resource Law Enforcement that are not just related to
fishing and hunting. Mike has shown his strong leadership and organizational skills in the writing, execution and leading of many complex investigations, in-house enforcement projects, search warrants
and training exercises. Mike is a great mentor for many new and seasoned officers when it comes to providing sage advice on how to catch a chronic violator, how to conduct complex and special investigations
and how to implement creative investigative techniques. Over the past 20 years as a conservation officer for the MNRF, Mike has shown that he is extremely talented, knowledgeable, a strong leader, and
capable of performing any task sent his way. Mike displays high standards of professionalism whether off the job or he is wearing his field uniform for patrols, business attire during a search warrant
or take down or plain clothes operations. In his dealings with the public, Mike conducts himself in a manner that ensures the maintenance of public trust and confidence in the government. Mike has
demonstrated his professionalism every step of the way when working and developing strong trustful relationships with many agencies.
SOUTH DAKOTA - District Conservation Supervisor Josh Carr
District Conservation Officer Supervisor Josh Carr started his career as a Wildlife Conservation Officer in 2004. Josh was promoted to his current supervisory position in 2013, and he supervises five
officers that cover seven counties bordering Lake Oahe on the Missouri River. Due to the many vacancies in his district, Josh has helped cover the vacant stations by patrolling these areas during the
fishing, boating, and hunting seasons. He has taken the lead on land encroachment issues in the small summer communities by teaming up with the local officer to explain to private landowners what they
can and cannot do on these lands managed for wildlife production and public hunting. Josh also promotes wildlife in his district by actively working on improving habitat on both public and private lands.
He is involved in negotiating contracts and agreements with private landowners to enhance habitat on public and private lands. He is also heavily involved in habitat management on the Game Production
Areas within his district and the Hunt Safe programs, and he assists with the Harvest SD class that teaches novice hunters and anglers over the age of 18 the skills to hunt, fish, process, and cook their
quarry. Over the years, he has been a mentor for many youth hunters on his own time. Josh provides exemplary service to the sportsmen and women of this state and its visitors.
TEXAS - Game Warden Jon Kocian
Game Warden Jon Kocian graduated from Sam Houston State University with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice in 2002. Jon was accepted into the 49th Texas Game Warden Academy Class and proudly
graduated in 2003. He has consistently performed many community service-oriented activities such as water-safety, hunting, fishing, and general information education programs to the Lions Club, Kiwanis
Club, multiple church groups, and local schools in his assigned area. In 2016, Jon was awarded the TPWD Director's Life Saving Citation for rescuing and saving the lives of two kayakers when their kayaks
overturned due to swift water in the Guadalupe River. He draws upon his passion for training and education to pass on his knowledge, skills, and abilities to fellow game wardens and partner agencies to
better serve the people of Texas. In 2020, he was instrumental in the update and launching of the new Field Training Program which includes water safety enforcement activities for both Texas Game Wardens
and State Park Police Officers. More recently, Jon voluntarily accepted the opportunity to instruct at the GWTC during the corona pandemic. He left his family behind and took on the extra task of making
sure that the cadets would be more than prepared to graduate with the knowledge, skills, and abilities they would need to take on their daily tasks once in the field. Jon has loyally served his
communities in Victoria County as "their game warden" for over 17 years.
US FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCY - Special Agent Justin Mays
Special Agent Justin Mays grew up on a farm in Nebraska where he developed a love of the outdoors and an interest in hunting and fishing. Justin earned a Bachelor of Arts in Wildlife Biology from Adams
State College in Alamosa, Colorado. He was a Nebraska Conservation Officer from 1996-2001 before beginning his career with the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He has been stationed
in Des Moines, Iowa since 2002. In 2012, he won the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association Wildlife Officer of the Year award. Justin's investigative performance was outstanding in 2019.
He worked on an extremely complex, high-priority reptile smuggling investigation. This case and several related reptile smuggling investigations made up the inter-regional super case which not only spanned
several regions but had subjects in multiple countries. Much of the investigative work in 2019 involved translating, reviewing, and documenting thousands of pages of data that he seized. Justin also
worked on other complex cases such as his Nontypical Outfitters and Tails of the Hunt investigations. The main subject of the Tails of the Hunt case pled guilty partway through the trial. He also
orchestrated a large takedown at the end of 2019 in the Nontypical Outfitters case. Justin's focus is, and always has been, on catching and prosecuting wildlife criminals.
WISCONSIN - Conservation Warden Jon Scharbarth
Jon Scharbarth has been a Wisconsin Conservation Warden for the past 21 years. Right after high school, Jon joined the United States Army Reserve; and in 1990, he was called to active duty and deployed
to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Prior to his warden career, his love for the outdoors led him to the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point (UWSP) where he originally started
as a fishery major. In 1994, he graduated with a B.S. majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. After college, he began working for the US Fish and Wildlife Service at Trempealeau National Wildlife
Refuge as an LTE. Jon then returned to Wisconsin as part of the 1999 Warden Recruit Class. In 2008, he was named the DNR Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Wisconsin Bowhunter's Association; and
in 2013, he was received a Life Saving Award. Jon was recently selected as the 2019 Wisconsin Conservation Warden of the Year, also known as the Haskell Noyes Efficiency Award. He is also very involved
with his kids' sporting activities, and he was a member of the Stevens Point Area YMCA swim team parent board for many years where he helped promote youth swimming and organize and run home swim meets.
As a result of this work, he was twice named the Stevens Point YMCA Volunteer of the Year. Jon has also been involved with the Wisconsin Conservation Warden Association as a Regional Representative and
assists with their annual raffle calendar fundraiser. |
