Indiana Conservation Officers hold memorial, awards ceremony

Recognized for their achievements

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Law Enforcement held a ceremony today at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis to remember fallen conservation officers and recognize those who are currently serving for their achievements.

Indiana Conservation Officers are law enforcement officers for the DNR. The DNR Division of Law Enforcement is the oldest Indiana state law enforcement agency and has a total of 214 officers.

The ceremony started with a time of remembrance for fallen officers. The seven conservation officers who have died in the line of duty since the division’s inception in 1911, listed with their end of watch date, are Sgt. Ed Bollman, Feb. 13, 2018; F/Sgt. Karl E. Kelley, April 17, 1998; officer Thomas Deniston, Oct. 16, 1990; Officer James D. Pitzer, Jan. 2, 1961; Officer Robert S. Perkins, May 27, 1958; and Wardens William J. Nattkemper and William J. Peare, who both died on April 27, 1926.

After the memorial ceremony, the division recognized current individual officers for their outstanding service.

District 3 Officer Matt Tholen, assigned to Tippecanoe County, was selected as the James D. Pitzer Indiana Conservation Officer of the Year. The award recognizes Tholen as the top officer of 2023, selected from the 10 district officer of the year recipients.

The Pitzer award is named for James Pitzer, who was killed in the line of duty in Jay County. The recipient of the award demonstrates professional ethics, attitude, and service to the public while demonstrating dedication to the conservation of natural resources and the enforcement of laws affecting the department. The officer must also provide a positive influence, develop camaraderie within the ranks, and gain the confidence and respect of fellow officers.

Lt. Brandon Shoults received the Director’s Leadership Award for his work overseeing officers in District 9, in the eastern portion of the state.

District 4 officer Draven Browning was presented with the William J. Nattkemper Brotherhood Award. This award is named in remembrance of William J. Nattkemper who, along with William J. Peare, lost his life on April 27, 1926, on the Wabash River near Tecumseh. Officers L.B. Watson, John Pile, and A.R. Hill, who were witnesses to the incident, remained at the scene until the bodies of their fallen comrades were recovered. This award recognizes the commitment and inseparable bond of brotherhood displayed by those men that has become the hallmark of Indiana Conservation Officers.

District 5 Officer Max Winchell was recognized by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) as the state’s Boating Enforcement Officer of the Year for his leadership in boating education.

District 6 Officer Joe Tenbarge was presented with the 2023 Waterfowl Protection Officer of the Year award for his enforcement of waterfowl regulations and his related performance in public education and community interaction.

Sgt. Corey Norrod and officer Shiloh Mast of District 9, along with officers Billy Doss of District 4, and Rob Klakamp and Claire Mitchel of District 8 were honored with Life Saving Awards for their exceptional actions saved lives.