Georgia Game Warden Adam Kimbrough Named 2026 NASBLA Southern Region Officer of the Year
Assigned to Lake Lanier — one of the most heavily visited federal lakes in the United States, drawing approximately 8 million visitors annually — Kimbrough is known for his professionalism, initiative and commitment to public safety on some of Georgia’s busiest waterways.
His patrol area includes Lake Lanier, the Chattahoochee River, Don Carter State Park and several surrounding waterways. In 2025, Kimbrough logged 346 hours of on-water boating safety patrols and an additional 312 hours conducting land-based boating safety enforcement activities. During that time, he checked 413 vessels, assisted with 142 additional vessel checks, issued 67 citations and 114 warnings, and provided 61 assists to fellow game wardens.
Boating under the influence (BUI) enforcement remains a major focus of Kimbrough’s work. In 2025, he made 13 BUI arrests and assisted with 13 additional impaired boating cases, accounting for approximately 20% of all boating-related citations and warnings issued on Lake Lanier during the year.
Kimbrough also played a key role during the 2025 Operation Dry Water campaign, conducting 44 vessel stops and issuing 31 citations and warnings for violations including BUI, child life jacket requirements, boater education compliance and nighttime navigation lighting violations.
His professionalism and decision-making were further demonstrated while responding to a serious personal watercraft crash involving severe injuries. While managing the emergency scene and coordinating the investigation, Kimbrough identified and stopped an impaired vessel operator who nearly collided with his patrol boat, leading to an additional BUI arrest.
In addition to enforcement efforts, Kimbrough actively supports boating safety education and officer development. He regularly assists with stolen vessel investigations, mentors cadets and fellow game wardens, and participates in community outreach programs and school presentations that reached more than 500 attendees in 2025.
Kimbrough’s leadership, professionalism and commitment to boating safety continue to make a significant impact on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the recreational boating community.
NASBLA congratulates Game Warden First Class Adam Kimbrough on being named the 2026 Southern Region Officer of the Year!
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First presented in 2000, the Marvin “Butch” Potts Memorial Award, known as the Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, is presented annually to the boating law enforcement officer who has made outstanding contributions to the field of boating law enforcement. The award program consists of three levels: state, regional and national.
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is a national nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories. We offer a variety of resources, including training, model acts, education standards, publications and more. Through a national network of thousands of professional educators, law enforcement officers and volunteers, we affect the lives of nearly 85 million American boaters.