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NASBLA Announces Regional Boating Officers of the Year

By Taylor Matsko posted 07-24-2019 03:31 PM

  

NASBLA Announces Regional Boating Officers of the Year

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 24, 2019) - 
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is pleased to announce the regional winners of the Butch Potts Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award. This award symbolizes the highest level of achievement among boating law enforcement officers throughout the United States.

The selection process for this award began in January with NASBLA soliciting nominations from each state and territory to nominate their boating law enforcement officer of the year. Next, each regional association of boating law administrators chose one regional award recipient, making that officer eligible for consideration for the national award. The national award recipient will be announced at the 60th Annual NASBLA Conference during the Awards Ceremony held in Anchorage, Alaska.

Conservation Warden Paul SickmanConservation Warden Paul Sickman, of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, has been named the 2019 Northern Region Officer of the Year. Conservation Warden Sickman is an example of a well-rounded officer who effectively balances enforcement, education and community involvement. However, Sickman’s primary concern is ensuring that all boaters have a safe and enjoyable recreational boating experience while on the water. Sickman coordinates the Lower St. Croix River law enforcement meetings in an effort to facilitate collaboration and coordination between multiple law enforcement agencies. During the meetings, these law enforcement agencies address and resolve upcoming issues, coordinate efforts for events such as Operation Dry Water, and much more. Many would say that Conservation Warden Sickman is proactive in his work toward public education. Sickman is a frequent presenter at U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary boat safety education courses, in schools, at Rotary Clubs, and many other natural resource related events. Additionally, Sickman continues to go above and beyond by publishing a monthly column in local newspapers called "Warden Paul's Corner." Learn more about Conservation Warden Sickman’s accomplishments.

Corporal Lyndle CrownoverThe 2019 Southern Region Officer of the Year award recipient is Corporal Lyndle Crownover with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Cpl. Crownover has been in law enforcement for 27 years, spending 14 of these years as a Wildlife Officer. Since he began working for Arkansas Game and Fish, Cpl. Crownover has arrested 128 suspects for BUI, averaging just over 9 BUIs per year. Cpl. Crownover is extremely active in both boater and youth education. He has played a vital role in the establishment of a very successful boater education program in Baxter County and the surrounding schools. Additionally, Cpl. Crownover assists the Corps of Engineers and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary with boater education classes and workshops. This year, Crownover organized and assisted in 12 boater education classes, with a total reach of 480 students. Find out more in the full press release about Cpl. Lyndle Crownover.
Corporal Daren KragCorporal Daren Krag, of the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, has been named the 2019 Western Region Officer of the Year. Under Cpl. Krag’s leadership, his team has conducted over 72 hours of classroom instruction in local schools and safety fairs reaching 1,732 individual students. This instruction has been delivered in various ways including boating safety courses to help boaters obtain their boater education cards, helping elementary students appreciate the critical importance of wearing a life jacket and more. It comes with no denial, Cpl. Krag’s valor, pride and ability to remain consistent in enforcing the law, while respecting the public boater, is truly a gift. Cpl. Krag is held with the upmost respect among the Oregon marine law enforcement community and Oregon is lucky to have him as one of their top marine deputies. Read more about Cpl. Daren Krag’s achievements throughout his career.

These officers are not only distinguished in their law enforcement activities, but also in their education efforts throughout their community. Each of these officers goes above and beyond their assigned duties to serve as an example to all fellow officers and spread public awareness about boating safety. These officers work to ensure all recreational boaters have a safe and enjoyable time while on their state’s waterways. NASBLA is pleased to have these three men representing the nation as the regional Officer of the Year recipients.

All three regional award winners are invited to this year’s NASBLA Annual Conference held in the fall. This year’s conference will take place from September 29 – October 2 in Anchorage, Alaska. Regional awards will be presented at the awards luncheon during the conference. Additionally, the National Boating Officer of the Year winner will be announced at the banquet scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 1. Find out more about the regional winners of the 2019 Officer of the Year award.

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 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 over 76 million American boaters.

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