| Press Releases | DNR Press Room | In Focus | Search DNR | DNR Home |
Maryland Natural Resources Police Honor Their Own and Others
ANNAPOLIS — The Natural Resources Police (NRP), the law enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), honored both officers and private citizens from around the state with certificates of merit and appreciation last night. The ceremony also honored those officers who were promoted.
DNR Deputy Secretary Lynn Buhl attended the ceremony along with Assistant Secretary for Management Services Mark Belton and NRP Superintendent Col. Mark S. Chaney. NRP Lt. Robert Davis was the emcee for the evening and NRP Sgt. Joe Offer gave the invocation and benediction.
“You have a significant role to play within our agency as a whole and within the evolving NRP.” Deputy Secretary Buhl said. “And as you interact with the public on a daily basis, you continue to be frontline ambassadors, not only for our agency but for the state and Governor Ehrlich as well.”
“This is an exciting time to be a Natural Resources Police officer,” Assistant Secretary Belton said. “It’s exciting because you have a new Superintendent who enjoys the full confidence of the Governor of Maryland and is grateful for the opportunity to lead such a fine force of professionals.”
“Tonight we celebrate the accomplishments of many individuals in this room.” Superintendent Chaney said. “I want to take this opportunity to commend you on your valiant efforts. Let us move forward as we make the Maryland Natural Resources Police the best conservation law enforcement agency in the nation.”
Officer First Class Roy L. Rafter Jr. of Stevensville received the Boating Safety Officer of the Year Award for efforts towards a safe boating environment on Maryland waters.
Corporal John D. Bailey of Mechanicsville received the Conservation Officer of the Year Award for his efforts toward preserving and protecting Maryland wildlife.
Corporal Shawn A. Garren of Lusby received the Officer of the Year Award for his efforts toward meeting the missions of the Department and the Agency in an exemplary fashion. Cpl. Garren also was the recipient of the Shikar-Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of the Year Award.
The following officers received Certificates of Merit for their rapid and decisive actions in response to a life-threatening emergency. Each officer’s hometown is listed in parentheses.
The following officers received a Certificate of Merit for their rapid and decisive actions in response to a potentially life-threatening situation. Each officer’s hometown is listed in parentheses.
- Ofc Michael D. Leishear (Leonardtown)
- Ofc Jose P. Marti (Pomfret)
The following people received a Certificate of Appreciation:
- Cpl. Donald W. Mackall Jr. (Odenton)
- Cpl. Victor Kulynycz (Princess Anne)
- Ofc Joanne K. Dickey (Stevensville)
- Ofc Roy L. Rafter Jr. (Stevensville)
- Ofc Mance McCall (Hebron)
The officers who were promoted are listed below according to the area of the state where they work. Each officer’s hometown is listed in parentheses.
- Cpl. Kevin Osbourne for preventing a burglary
- Sgt. David Larsen for contributions to law enforcement and search and rescue
- PCO Yulonda Johnson, Sgt. Joe Offer, Sgt Randy Charron, Sgt Kenneth Avery Jr., for dedication, initiative, character and professionalism in the face of severe organizational adversity
- PCO Paulette Pauling for composure and professionalism in a life-threatening emergency.
- Robert and Jane French of Solomons for response to a life-threatening emergency,
- Thomas Suit, John Williams, Kenneth R. Tenore, Ph.D, Otts and Erma Humm,
- Michael Jones for assistance to NRP
- Matthew David Billman of Huntingtown for his courage and decisive actions in a potentially life-threatening emergency
- Tom Mullen and Rosemary Wahler of Oxford for their quick reactions to a life-threatening emergency.
Annapolis HeadquartersEastern Region
- Daniel Hughes (Bel Air) Lt. Colonel, Field Operations Bureau
- Mark Sanders (Owings) Major, Support Services Bureau
- Garland Nixon (Glen Burnie) Major, Commander Homeland Security
- Edward Johnson (Baltimore) Lieutenant, Integrity Unit
- Samuel Chaffey (Eden) Lieutenant, Criminal Investigation Division
- Kevin Osborne (Salisbury) Sergeant, Investigations Division
- John Bailey (Mechanicsville) Sergeant, Communications Center
Southern Region
- John D. Gough (Centreville) Lieutenant, Area 3, Eastern Region
- Daniel Long (Salisbury) Corporal, Area 2, Eastern Region, District 6, Fishing Bay/Lower Choptank MET
- Carl Barnett (St. Michaels) Corporal, Area 2, Eastern Region, District 7, Tilghman LBPU/SAR
- Joanne Dickey (Stevensville) Corporal, Area 2, Eastern Region, District 9, Chester River MET
Central Region
- William Bates (Hollywood) Captain, Areas 3 & 4, Southern Region
- David Larsen (St. Leonard) Lieutenant, Area 3, Southern Region
- Craig Stewart (Waldorf) Corporal, Area 4, Southern Region, District 7, Breton Bay LBPU, Potomac River
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is an enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources. With an authorized strength of 214 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. Natural Resources Police is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.
- Robert Kersey (Dover, DE) Sergeant, Area 5, Central Region, District 4
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to Maryland citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 435,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, as well as Maryland's wildlife and fishery species for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, the department manages natural, historic and cultural resources that attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov