COLORADO - Ian Petkash
Officer Petkash embodies what it means to be a Colorado Wildlife Officer today—bridging the gap between "old school" game warden work and new school techniques, technology, and processes. Petkash has been embedded in the community of Lake George for the last nine years. Ian is a pioneer for CPW, serving as one of only three K9 officers for the agency. His K9 partner, Samson, has become instrumental in prosecuting numerous poachers in Park County and inseparable from Ian, the community of Lake George, and the important work they have accomplished together.
Outside of his knack for bringing poachers to justice, Ian works relentlessly with other agencies to improve wildlife habitat across his district, benefiting deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and all the
Coloradoans who love to see them. He embodies the idea of community policing, providing outreach and education for his community and regularly appearing at the Colorado Sportsman's Expo with Samson. Additionally, Officer Petkash and Samson have worked creatively to help deter problem bears and safely remove them from dangerous situations, in numerous cases preventing a bear from having to be put down from being too habituated to humans.
Officer Petkash is an incredible example of what all of Colorado should expect and be proud of as a Colorado Wildlife Officer. His professionalism, creativity, and work ethic have set him apart
and earned his lofty reputation as Colorado's 2022 Wildlife Officer of the Year.
ILLINOIS - John "Louie" Farber
CPO John "Louie" Farber has been with the Illinois Conservation Police for nearly ten years. During that time, he has been a range instructor, field training officer, background investigator,
and sonar operator. Farber sets the bar high within the agency in the ever-changing law enforcement landscape and strives to serve, protect, and educate daily. From his upbringing to his time in the United States Marine Corps to his career as an Illinois Conservation Police Officer, Farber truly takes pride in his role in public service. Farber sets the standard within the agency and is as well-rounded as they come when referring to his body of work.
Farber's 2022 activity ranges from several illegal take of slot walleye arrests, several violators fishing without a valid license that had warrants for their arrest, multiple over bagging of doves,
arrest for hunting doves from a vehicle from roadway, numerous seized firearms, OUI arrest, illegal dumping of trash arrests, battery arrest at a state park, trapping arrest for trapping out of
season with no valid trapping license, unlawful take of deer with a rifle without any licenses or permits, to handling a serious boat accident with injuries/ Additionally he has made numerous
arrests for hunting without blaze orange while transporting uncased rifles without valid permits or licenses, and assisting Indiana DNR with an arrest for the unlawful sale of deer meat.
Farber is invaluable to our agency and does great networking with other agencies and assisting them when needed. Farber assisted Iroquois County Sheriff Deputies with an attempted murder/home invasion. Farber and the Iroquois County sheriff pursued and apprehended the subject a short time later in an abandoned tree nursery after he fled the scene, preventing any further danger to the community.
INDIANA - Nicholas Wilson
Officer Nick Wilson has served since 2012 and is assigned to Hendricks County. Nick has obtained several specialties as an ICO, including being an ICO SCUBA Diver, River Rescue Instructor, Field Training Officer, Airboat Operator, Background Investigator, Passenger for Hire Inspector, and SONAR Operator.
Nick was nominated for Officer of the Year in District Six in 2016 and 2019. Nick continues toimpress veteran officers, new officers, command staff, and other government agencies with his devotion to duty, willingness to respond, and expertise in his skillsets.
Nick was also involved in several high-profile cases this year. Nick was relied on by Indianapolis Fire Department for his expertise on side scan sonar when they located a car related to the homicide with a father and his three children. Nick was integral in working with several Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Homicide Detectives and Missing Persons Detectives throughout the case.
Nick has made a name for himself in his area due to his professionalism, knowledge base, and desire to help. Nick impressed IMPD Homicide so much that he and other ICOs have been assisting with a cold case involving Bonnie Schultz, who went missing in 1997. Bonnie Schultz's disappearance has recently gone viral after the passing of her ex-husband, the suspected killer. Through Nick's efforts to locate Bonnie, he has searched over fifteen bodies of water. In the process of these searches, he has identified and recovered nine stolen vehicles. Several more vehicles have been located but not yet recovered.
Nick was contacted by Plainfield PD in the disappearance of a four-year-old autistic child this summer. Nick responded with sonar the first night of the search. Nick assisted in coordinating the response of seven more ICO SONAR Operators and SCUBA divers from four different districts due to over thirty ponds in the neighborhood that needed to be searched. Nick and the other ICOs so impressed the Plainfield Chief of Police with their work without a supervisor present that he wrote a letter of commendation.
KANSAS - Mitch Falls
Warden Falls has been busy patrolling (either by vehicle or on foot) throughout the year and investigating various crimes. For example, while checking a group of anglers at LaCygne Lake, he discovered several short wipers buried underneath the snow, or when he caught a group of duck hunters who tried to hide some illegally taken ducks during the teal season. Warden Falls also witnessed a group of duck hunters smoking marijuana while hunting in the Marais Des Cygne Wildlife Refuge. In another separate duck case, Warden Falls saw a waterfowler harvest the wrong species of ducks and tried to hide them from him. While investigating a deer case and initiating a "knock and talk," Warden Falls discovered an outfitter and his client also smoking marijuana. In this deer case, a Michigan outfitter was receiving money from a Michigan hunter who had killed a buck on land without permission from the landowner. Warden Falls determined the hunting locations from pictures on social media and gathered more evidence through a search warrant. The case is currently pending at the federal level. In a separate deer case, a Michigan Game Warden contacted Warden Falls about a suspicious deer with a Kansas Landowner Tag discovered at a local Michigan meat processor. Warden Falls assisted in the initial investigation giving it to the investigative unit before attending the K9 academy.
Warden Falls regularly uses a combination of tried-and-true game warden interviewing and surveillance techniques in the field in combination with utilizing new technology systems and gathering evidence through new ways or platforms that people use to communicate with each other. An example is when Warden Falls received a call about someone trapping illegally on their property. He used a cell camera to catch the trapper while checking traps.
This year, Warden Falls gained a new partner, Indy, and graduated from K9 handler school. Warden Falls spent much time preparing training materials before the start of the day. He was involved in classroom discussions and demonstrations. After school, Warden Falls continued bonding with Indy and growing their relationship. All the work is paying off. This summer, Indy and Warden Falls found a dropped cell phone belonging to an escapee from the Osawatomie State Hospital. Several other agency K9s were searching at the last known location of the escapee, but Indy found the cell phone in the previously searched area. The escapee was apprehended a short time later by officers and charged with aggravated escape from custody and interference with law enforcement.
MANITOBA - Warren Toderan
The Manitoba Conservation Officer Service (COS) is proud to have selected Sergeant Warren Toderan as the 2022 MAFWA Officer of the Year. Sgt. Toderan started work for the Department 42 years ago, in 1981,
and has been stationed in numerous locations throughout Manitoba as a Conservation Officer. He is currently stationed in Riverton, where he manages the Riverton, Hodgson, and Lake Winnipeg District
enforcement.
Sgt. Toderan is hard working and conscientious, once famously turning a Turn-in-Poachers call and a patrol down a back country road into a seizure of three elk and multiple charges for illegal hunting. He spends numerous fall nights flying his districts in the COS contracted Helicopter, tracking suspects and guiding ground units to apprehend illegal night-lighters. Sgt. Toderan also has a huge responsibility with commercial fisheries enforcement on Lake Winnipeg, Canada's second largest freshwater lake fishery; through all his hard work and dedication, Sgt. Toderan demonstrates he's a team player and always handles every task professionally assigned to him.
MICHIGAN - Joseph Deppen
Joseph Deppen is a seven-year veteran who graduated from the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division Recruit Class 7 in 2016. Joe obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology with a concentration in marine biology from Michigan State University in May of 2006.
Conservation Officer Deppen has steadily become hardworking and true to the law. Not only has Joe succeeded in obtaining Michigan's Waterfowl Enforcement Officer of the Year, but he has also been bestowed divisional life-saving medals. Joe has a passion for the job, enjoys teaching others this passion, and is dedicated to the DNR LED mission and protection of Natural Resources. Joe leads the district in citations and arrests and has led multiple large-scale search warrants into subjects taking over limits of white-tailed deer, which have been fruitful cases stemming from additional other cases. Joe's passion for doing good is infectious, and this helps motivate his peers to work on these joint cases.
As stated, Joe tests his passion for teaching by helping instruct our new officers. From Recruit School 8 to current, Joe has been a key water safety instructor. Joe's proficiency with diving and
his certifications have been instrumental in safe teaching practices in the pool (tank) at all recruit schools. Joe also eagerly puts his skills out there as a Marine Safety Instructor for our Division, using his knowledge of his 100-ton USCG license and familiarity with open waters to help instruct our new officers in safe and practical marine skills. Joe also serves as a waterfowl instructor for the weeklong DNR waterfowl enforcement school all new Conservation Officers attend. Joe uses his knowledge of working waterfowl in the historic waters of Lake St Clair, Harsens Island, and St Clair flats to teach new officers waterfowl enforcement techniques as well as waterfowl identification.
MINNESOTA - Jeremy Woinarowicz
CO Woinarowicz consistently exceeds expectations and has achieved very favorable ratings and remarks on his yearly performance evaluations for several consecutive years. This embodies the hard work and dedication displayed by him throughout his career as a CO. He regularly exhibits a positive attitude and gets done the work that needs to be done, often going above and beyond what is expected or required of him.
Woinarowicz has gone above and beyond what is expected of him as a CO by making time to take on additional responsibilities in his busy schedule. As an instructor at the Conservation Officer Academy and as a field training officer, Woinarowicz has contributed to the future of the Enforcement Division. Not only does he mentor new recruits by teaching at the Academy, but he also serves as a role model in the field training officer program, this year stepping up and filling the primary field training officer role. In addition to this, Woinarowicz was a longstanding member of the DNR's Deer Committee and has recently joined the Division's Special Investigations Unit ranks. He can take on these additional responsibilities while maintaining a high level of enforcement presence in his patrol area.
Woinarowicz is highly deserving and exhibits exemplary eagerness and passion for his work. Woinarowicz serves as an example to all COs that by working hard, being invested in your community, and personally caring about the resource, you can make a difference for the better. His incredible work ethic, positive attitude, and dedication to the resource and the Department is second to none.
MISSOURI - Tyler Green
Corporal Tyler Green had what can only be described as a "text-book model" for a well-balanced work plan effort this past year. Tyler was a new transfer to Jasper County, a Top 16 county, from Cedar County. Tyler welcomed the new change of coming to a more populated county and works hard serving as a steward for the Department in public outreach and involvement and conducting a well-balanced enforcement effort. Tyler strives to lead with a servant style; no call or interaction is too small. Tyler treats every contact with the utmost professionalism to support and assist the public in each connection, whether it be a nuisance wildlife calls, community event, public program, or an enforcement contact.
During this past year, Tyler made public outreach a top priority being new to the county logging 55 programs, including schools, MONASP, veteran programs, etc., 26 media releases, 4,801 other public contacts, 4,098 Top 16 contacts, 26 resource management contacts, and 1,267 phone calls. Tyler also helped coordinate a visit from US Senator Roy Blunt to a local prairie, numerous volunteer ride-a-longs and conducted a background investigation for the academy class. These efforts enriched conservation efforts within Jasper County and statewide. Tyler routinely helps cover other counties during leave, vacation, field openings, and other districts when needed. Tyler is always the first to lend a hand and cover for anyone at any time on a moment's notice.
Tyler also worked hard to provide a quality enforcement presence this past year, contacting 1,543 law enforcement contacts, resulting in 168 resource and 75 other violations, 73 arrests, 13 assisted arrests, and 32 documented warnings.
NORTH DAKOTA - Jon Peterson
The North Dakota nomination for the AMFGLEO Law Enforcement Officer of the Year is District Game Warden Jonathan Peterson.
Warden Peterson was initially hired by the ND Game and Fish Department as a Game Warden in 2015. He started his career in northeastern North Dakota, initially stationed in Rugby, moving to the city of Devils Lake in 2018, where he is still stationed.
Warden Peterson spends most of his time patrolling Devils Lake, North Dakota's largest natural lake, and its surrounding area. The Devils Lake region is known for its year-round fishing and fall waterfowl hunting. Warden Peterson patrols by vehicle, boat, ATV/UTV, and snowmobile to accomplish his enforcement goals in all four seasons. He works diligently to be in the right place at the right time to promote safety and deter violators.
Warden Peterson has been a very effective and efficient Game Warden by building relationships with the landowners, who, in turn, don't hesitate to call him when violations occur. Whether it is a search/rescue emergency, trespass call, or a wildlife over-limit, the public knows they can count on Warden Peterson for a professional response.
Warden Peterson has expanded his duties by becoming a taser instructor and AR rifle armorer. He is always willing to assist with any project that comes up, whether it is a law enforcement-related check station, stakeout, or even equipment maintenance, by using his welding skills for fabrication.
Game Warden Jon Peterson is an asset to the Department and the State of North Dakota in protecting our natural resources.
OHIO - Jeremy Payne
Investigator Payne began his wildlife career in 1994 as a summertime seasonal, employed as a natural resource worker in central Ohio. Investigator Payne would eventually realize his dream of becoming a wildlife officer in January 1996, and after finishing the Academy, he was assigned to patrol central Ohio. In 2006 he was promoted to his current position and currently works in the northwest region of Ohio.
Investigator Payne is an experienced and passionate wildlife employee who takes great pride in his work. He accepts his assignments with excitement, no matter how small or large, and tackles minute tasks with the same professionalism as those that may garner far more attention. Investigator Payne is one of the first to volunteer his assistance to other officers or investigators seeking help. His reliability is well-established and second to none.
Investigator Payne is a field training officer and has been a fitness instructor for over ten years. He is a founding member of our officer support team, availing himself to both commissioned and
non-commissioned coworkers at all hours throughout the year, regardless of his work status. He provides a resource to work through some of the most challenging things wildlife officers and
investigators encounter in their personal and professional lives.
Investigator Payne has also served on the board of Wildlife Officer Lodge 143 as past president and is currently the board treasurer. Further, he sits as chairman of the Unit 2 Association,
serving over 500 officers from various agencies.
Investigator Payne routinely and selflessly assumes responsibility for helping others. His service and dedication to his fellow officers, the agency, and the unsullied tradition of wildlife law
enforcement is an example that we should exalt. While his efforts this past year certainly merit my nomination, he has demonstrated these virtues over a career and a lifetime in the field. Wildlife Investigator Jeremy Payne is very deserving of the AMFGLEO Ohio Officer of the Year award.
OKLAHOMA - Blake Pearson
Warden Pearson exceeds the standards and expectations for this prestigious recognition. His passion, talent, integrity, and professionalism in every aspect of wildlife conservation make him incredibly worthy of this award.
Warden Pearson navigates team projects effortlessly, always sacrificing individual recognition for team success. He is a humble man who downplays the significance of his role in team efforts, but his dedication to teamwork makes him a stand-out performer who should not go unnoticed. Pearson has countless leadership skills and dedicates those skills to every team he works with, volunteering for every opportunity that arises. He provides an excellent example of the type of work ethic and attitude needed within a team framework for everyone to succeed. This Officer has earned the respect of his peers and the public by consistently exhibiting the highest standards in his professional and personal conduct. His willingness and reliability to help other divisions with projects have been persistent throughout his career to date.
Warden Pearson serves as an Advisor for the Walleye Rodeo, coordinating the kid's fishing derby for young anglers. Warden Pearson devotes a large amount of his personal time to the community. He organizes fundraisers and volunteers as an auctioneer to raise money for local school systems. Warden Pearson was a key participant in the search and recovery of two lost kayakers in early March.
Warden Pearson takes extreme pride in being an Oklahoma Game Warden. His equipment and uniform are always maintained in a manner that best represents what a Game Warden'sappearance should be. Warden Pearson has spent his career operating efficiently at the highest standards of the job, high energy work ethic and a second-to-none work attitude. His leadership in those categories encourages and motivates others around him to seek the same efficiency. He has coached wrestling at Watonga for the last nine years and was crowned the "South Coach of the Year" this year
ONTARIO - Tim Caddel
As a CO or DI, Tim has led to a successful conclusion in many complex local or provincially significant natural resource investigations. As an AEM/S. Sgt. Caddel has overseen, managed, and directed conservation officers on hundreds of locally or provincially significant natural resource investigations in two of the province's busiest and most well-known controversial MNRF Districts. The largest and most significant to date National Level accomplishment that Tim has been involved with is the; identification, research, consultation, creation, monitoring, and continued enforcement (including investigations, trials with convictions) of the Lake Nipissing Commercial Fishery "Memorandum of Understanding" with the Nipissing First Nation Indigenous Community. It was identified in 2014 that the once plentiful Lake Nipissing walleye population was critically unsustainable due to overharvesting by both sport and commercial fishing. Tim was an instrumental part of the Project Team, particularly in an
enforcement capacity, which developed and implemented an innovative plan to bring the Lake Nipissing walleye fishery back to a sustainable level.
Tim's professionalism in leadership has been evident throughout his long career with MNRF, where Tim has led very intense, stressful, and often frustrating occurrences and investigations, to name a few are; escalated fire control emergencies, Ice Storm Emergency, search warrants execution, and high-risk arrests made in remote field locations, aircraft crashes and resolved inter-racial conflict during fire management duties, very large multi-year and multi-jurisdictional investigations, many large controversial trials including preparation and testimony, development and enforcement implementation of Indigenous "Memorandum of Understanding" commercial fishery, including the difficult trial. Throughout all these challenges, Tim is never seen to lose his professional, calm, even demeanor, and he is the team bedrock that supports the rest of us.
SOUTH DAKOTA - Chris Dekker
The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks nominate Conservation Officer Chris Dekker for the 2023 Association of Midwest Fish and Game Law Enforcement Officers "Officer of the Year Award." Officer Dekker began his career as a Conservation Officer in 2014 and is currently stationed in Rapid City. Officer Dekker's duty station sits on the edge of the western prairie and the Black Hills and is located in the 2nd largest city in South Dakota. Officer Dekker is committed to his patrol efforts and continues serving South Dakota's citizens in this unique environment. Officer Dekker is committed to establishing relationships with local and Federal law enforcement agencies in the area and is often called upon for assistance.
Officer Dekker is a past recipient of the State's Boating Officer of the Year Award. Officer Dekker is very involved in the recruitment of new hunters and anglers to the field. He is currently working with local school districts to bring HuntSafe into the schools. Additionally, he works with our Outdoor Campus to host Hunting 101 programs and recently did a multiple-episode news series bringing increased awareness and education on shooting sports. These efforts have definitely helped bring new users into the field.
Officer Dekker is a leader in the field and has stepped up to be an emergency vehicle operations instructor and wildlife training officer. Officer Dekker was also recently selected to join the Department Honor Guard Team ranks. Officer Dekker pours everything he has into these critical components of the Department and is directly impacting his fellow conservation officers.
Officer Dekker is truly invaluable to the Department and, more importantly, the people of the State of South Dakota.
TEXAS - Robert Kana
Bobby does a tremendous job in dealing with the public. He is responsive to calls and the concerns of the public at large. Bobby has an impeccable reputation with the commercial fishermen and industry of the upper coast and is regarded as honest, hardworking, and fair. Bobby has an enormous amount of local knowledge that allows this district to succeed in many situations. Most importantly, he is always willing to share that information with his teammates and chain of command, which contributes to this district's ability to properly serve our community.
Bobby continues to be a "go-to guy" when it comes to a variety of critical situations. He is one of the senior wardens when it comes to Hurricane/ Natural disaster search and rescue operations. He is one of the best and most proficient Airboat operators in the state and is asked to operate an airboat during high-pressure situations.
Bobby is available to assist his fellow Game Wardens, no matter the time of day, weather, or schedule. Bobby can be counted on to be involved in any situation when needed. Bobby has backed his teammates ranging from Commercial violations in the Gulf of Mexico at two in the morning or backing up fellow Wardens and other agencies at the Santa Fe High School mass shooting. Bobby is the consummate teammate, and his actions have demonstrated this time and time again for the last 29 years.
Bobby exhibits the core qualities of leadership of "Be, Know, Do." He leads by example; he is technically proficient and compassionate to others. Bobby also is respected by others because he is willing to share hardships and shoulders his share of the task.
Bobby is a valuable member of this district, region, and Division. His insight, advice, and knowledge in the field serve as a solid foundation for the near future. Bobby is a natural leader and has the aptitude for a leadership position in this Department.
WISCONSIN - Bryan Lockman
Bryan Lockman has served as a Wisconsin Conservation Warden since January 2001, where he is stationed in Stevens Point, WI covering southern Portage County. Bryan was recently selected as the Wisconsin Conservation Warden of the Year for 2022, also known as the Haskell Noyes Efficiency Award. Bryan actively supports the mission of the DNR and has a nice overall program that focuses on the core objectives and goals of the Division of Public Safety and Resource Protection. He is certified in core duties as a Background Investigator, DOJ Instructor (Tactical Firearm), and rifle/handgun armorer. He also has a significant leadership role by serving as a Regional Tactical Coordinator.
During High School, he joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard. He served from 1993 to 2001 and then reenlisted in the Army Reserves in 2003 and served until 2006. He was called to active duty and deployed to Iraq in 2005 for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Bryan grew up on a dairy farm in Southcentral Wisconsin, where his love of the outdoors was established. This led him to the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point (UWSP), where his major was Wildlife, and his minor was Environmental Law Enforcement. He graduated in December 1999.
Bryan has two children, Brenna, age 12, and Collin, age 9. Bryan and his wife Karla are very involved with their kids' activities, including 4-H, where the kids annually show animals at the county fair. Bryan also enjoys coaching youth football and exposing his kids to all types of sports and outdoor activities.
|
