SEAFWA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year

The Officer of the Year Award is presented annually to an individual who excels in three main areas:

  1. Team Work and Public Outreach - The honoree is engaged with the public and seeks opportunities to educate and inform. 
  2. Excellence and Innovation - The honoree demonstrates the willingness to go beyond the call of duty by doing more than others expect, and continually seeks to improve efficiency on the job. 
  3. Attitude and Leadership - The honoree portrays a contagious, positive perspective, and demonstrates standards of excellence and professionalism.
Award Criteria and Nomination Process

Nominations must be typed (12 point font or larger), with one-inch (1") side margins and half-inch (1/2") top and bottom margins, or printed and may not exceed the space provided. Two (2) pages total for the four categories. The length of each category may vary, but the two-page (2-page) limit applies. No additional attachments or pages may be added. Failure to abide by these guidelines will result in automatic disqualification of the nominee.

Submit nominations to the chair of the Awards Committee.

Team Work and Public Outreach

Nominee excels in deliberate and effective communication with the public. Seeks opportunities to educate, inform and exchange ideas with the public about Agency programs and priorities. Nominee demonstrates intra- and inter-divisional cooperation within the agency; willing to pitch in and assist others; keeps others informed and up-to-date; gives specific and helpful feedback to improve job performance; shares their own work experiences and helpful information to help accomplish agency mission.

Excellence and Innovation

Nominee demonstrates the willingness to go beyond the call of duty by doing more than others expect. Nominee continually seeks to improve efficiency on the job. Has identified means to increase constituent satisfaction and cost-savings for the agency. Has taken steps to achieve implementation.

Attitude and Leadership

Nominee portrays a contagious, positive perspective to fellow workers and the public in everything they say, do, write and produce. Takes personal responsibility for meeting commitments and solving problems. Nominee demonstrates standards of excellence and professionalism; exemplifies standards and conduct that reflect honesty and fairness; sets the example for others through their behavior.

Achievements and Accomplishments

Expound upon the nominee’s accomplishments and special achievements during the performance of job-related duties.

 

Recipients
2021
Lance Corporal Blake Baxley
South Carolina
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
(news article)
2020
Corporal Mac Davis
Arkansas
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
(news article)
2019
Corporal Cole Edwards
Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
(news article)
2018
Agent Andy Barnes
Missouri
Missouri Department of Conservation
(news article)
2017
Senior Officer Bradley M. Hasamear
Alabama
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division
(news article)
2016
Wes Stewart
South Carolina
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
(news article)
2015
Leith Konyndyk
Tennessee
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
(news article)
2014
Rob Farr
Missouri
Missouri Department of Conservation
2013
Jonathan Lee
Tennessee
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
2012
John T. Collum
Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
2011
Richard M. Howard
Virginia
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
2010
Michael K. Neal
Arkansas
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
2009
Phillip Earhart
Tennessee
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
2008
Robert M. Wayne
North Carolina
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
2007
Richard "Todd" Campbell
South Carolina
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
2006
John J. Cobb
Virginia
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
2005
E. Matt Majors
Tennessee
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
2004
Edwin B. Grant
North Carolina
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
2003
Pat Fitts
Arkansas
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
2002
Richard L. Carroll
Maryland
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
2001
Carlos Gomez
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
2000
Jeff Skeleton
Tennessee
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
1999
Keith Carter
Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
1998
John E. Massey
North Carolina
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
1997
Danton Jones
Florida
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
1996
Leon "Butch" Henderson
Louisiana
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
1995
Tommy Hergotz
Texas
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
1994
Arvid J. Edwards
Georgia
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division
1992
H. Wayne Sanders
Tennessee
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency