Notes from National Geographic regarding some recent wildlife crime busts and convictions around the world.
Read about the crimes and arrests here
Rodman Smith Named Colonel for Minnesota DNR Enforcement Division
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced today that Lt. Col. Rodmen Smith, assistant director and 19-year veteran of the department, will be the next director of the agency’s Enforcement Division.
Rodman was a 2014 Graduate of the NACLEC Leadership Academy. Rodman is the sixth member of the 2014 NACLEC Leadership Academy class to be appointed as an agency Law Enforcement Director since graduating the academy.
Learn more about Rodman, his priorities and his appointment here
A Picture Postcard: 12 Months of a Wisconsin Warden's Job in Pictures
Back after last year's first edition, the Wisconsin DNR Conservation Wardens return with highlights from some of the lighter and memorable moments of fast-paced 2015. See the picture-postcard story: 12 Months of Warden World, highlighting some of the year's activities they've enjoyed while working over the past year here.
Three Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Rangers Receive Governor’s Award for Life Saving Acts
FORSYTH, GA – On Monday, Governor Nathan Deal presented Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Rangers Captain Chris Hodge, Corporal Craig Smith, and Ranger First Class David Brady with the Governor’s Public Safety Awards for Acts of Heroism in two separate incidents last year. The awards were presented during the 2015 Governor’s Public Safety Awards ceremony at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth.
The Governor’s Public Safety Awards Program recognizes those men and women who have gone “above and beyond the call of duty” to protect the lives and property of the citizens of Georgia and those who have made significant contributions to their profession.
On December 5, 2014, Capt. Hodge, who was a Sergeant at the time, responded to a request to assist the Camden County Sheriff’s Office in the pursuit of a murder suspect on I-95. During the pursuit, Camden Deputy Lamar Bowen attempted to stop the suspect using the PIT maneuver, causing the suspect to crash and Bowen’s patrol car to leave the roadway and roll violently down the shoulder of the interstate. As other officers rushed to apprehend the suspect, Sgt. Hodge immediately focused on Bowen, who was unconscious and still belted in the patrol car. As Hodge administered first aid, the vehicle caught fire. Sgt. Hodge, with assistance from other officers, pulled Deputy Bowen out of the burning car to safety. The quick and heroic actions of Sgt. Hodge helped to preserve the life of Deputy Bowen that night.
On March 9, 2015, Corporal Craig Smith and Ranger First Class (RFC) David Brady responded to a call regarding a missing person on the Satilla River in Brantley County. The caller was not aware of his exact location so the Rangers launched separate boats from different locations and were able to quickly locate him. Upon arrival, they learned that his brother had jumped in the river to swim. With the river near flood stage, he began to struggle, went under, and did not resurface. As Smith and Brady searched the wooded area and the river, they heard cries for help. As midnight approached, they found the man, submerged to his neck, entangled in tree branches, and nearly unconscious. The Rangers were able to break through the branches and pull the victim into their boat without capsizing in the swift currents. They transported the victim, who was suffering from extreme hypothermia with a core body temperature of only 92 degrees, to waiting EMS personnel. Without the persistence and bravery of Cpl. Smith and RFC Brady, the victim would have lost his life.
“Training is the key. These Rangers acted on their training with confidence and courage and lives were saved as a result,” said DNR Col. Eddie Henderson, director of Law Enforcement. “I am very proud of these Rangers and their willingness to selflessly risk personal safety to ensure the safety of others who likely would not have survived,”
Capt. Chris Hodge is a 14-year veteran with Georgia DNR Law Enforcement and was recently promoted to supervisor of DNR Law Enforcement’s Region IV - West Central Georgia. Cpl. Craig Smith is a 15-year veteran of the Division assigned to Camden County and Ranger First Class David Brady is assigned to Glynn County and has been with DNR 11 years.
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Contact: Mark McKinnon
Public Affairs Officer
Law Enforcement Division
Office: (706) 557-3106
Mobile: (404) 387-7780
mark.mckinnon@dnr.ga.gov
Pennsylvania Conservation Officers Woodland Tracking Team Locates Rifle and Other Evidence Used in Fatal Shooting of Police Officer
Pennsylvania Conservation Officers on the Agency's Woodland Tracking Team located a rifle believed to be used in the fatal shooting of a police officer.
Below is an excerpt from a CBS News Story, and press conference, and media coverage.
“The Remington .270-caliber rifle that was found roughly three-quarters of a mile east of the river,” said Trooper Steve Limani, of Pennsylvania State Police.
Putting to use wild land tracking skills, state Game Commission officers were able to figure out just where and how the suspect moved when he allegedly ran from the New Florence home. But finding the rifle still proved a challenge.
“There was a rough trail that the Game Commission was able to follow and lead us on, and this firearm was found off of that path in a thick area of brush and tucked under some leaves and brush,” said Trooper Limani.
The rifle wasn’t the only thing investigators say they found near the high-powered hunting rifle.
“A hooded sweatshirt that had some blood on it and there were several rounds of ammunition of that .270 caliber found in the pocket of that hooded sweatshirt,” said Trooper Limani. “They will be sent for analysis at our labs.”
See media accounts below, including news conference.