NASBLA recognizes the 2020 Northern Region Officer of the Year
*This is a transcript of the "2020 Northern Region Officer of the Year Winner Recognized" video from the virtual recognition ceremony on Tuesday, November 10th, 2020.
DARREN RIDER:
Welcome to another NASBLA Virtual Awards recognition ceremony! I am grateful for the opportunity to present one of the 2020 NASBLA Regional Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year awards today.
This year, the 2020 NASBLA Annual Conference was held virtually from September 28th – September 30th. During that virtual event, NASBLA did not have the chance to fully recognize all of this year’s award winners. Therefore, we have gathered here today to show our appreciation and gratitude to one of the 2020 NASBLA award winners!
Numerous individuals and organizations assist NASBLA in various ways throughout the year. To show our appreciation for this invaluable assistance, NASBLA recognizes outstanding individuals and groups for their contributions to recreational boating safety through its awards program.
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 a boating law enforcement officer who has made outstanding contributions to the field of boating law enforcement.
The 2020 Northern Region Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award is presented to Trooper Chad Juenker with the New York State Police.
For the past 15 years, Trooper Juenker’s dedication to boating safety across New York State has contributed significantly to the state’s overall efforts to make the waterways safer for all boaters.
Not only has Tpr. Juenker been an integral part of New York State’s marine law enforcement training programs, he has also assisted the Marine Services Bureau since 2007. Tpr. Juenker works as one of the core instructors for the Marine Law Enforcement Course, Marine Patrol Vessel Operator Course, Tactical Vessel Operator’s Course and the Personal Watercraft Operator’s Course. These courses train officers in basic marine law enforcement, officer safety, water survival and much more. In 2019, Tpr. Juenker provided training to over 225 marine law enforcement officers.
Over the course of his career, Tpr. Juenker has fully embraced New York’s belief that in order to reduce boating fatalities, there must be a strong enforcement presence as well as a rigorous effort to educate the boating public. On top of his every day enforcement duties, he has dedicated a significant number of hours to public outreach and boating safety education.
Tpr. Juenker’s unwavering devotion to boating safety has made a positive impact on the experience of all users of New York State’s waterways. It comes with no denial that Tpr. Juenker’s passion, dedication and commitment to preventing incidents and saving lives has been exemplary throughout his career and certainly reflect positively on the entire marine law enforcement community. Congratulations Trooper Juenker!
CHAD JUENKER:
Thank you.
DARREN RIDER:
So now I would like to give New York’s BLA, Chris Fallon, the opportunity to say a few words…
CHRIS FALLON:
Thank you, Darren. Well, at New York State Parks, we are thrilled that NASBLA has recognized Chad Juenker, not only as New York's Officer of the Year, but as the entire Northern Region Officer of the Year.
What makes it special for us is the fact that we know Chad so well. As you mentioned, we host a number of marine law enforcement training programs throughout the year, and for years, Chad has been a really important part of our instructor core. So on a regular basis, we get to see the knowledge, the expertise, the skills and the professionalism that Chad brings every day.
You know, in addition to his regular assignment as a patrol officer with the New York State Police, his role as an instructor with us - we also have the good fortune of having Chad available to us for many outreach programs to help us spread our message of boating safety.
So without a doubt, Chad is really doing his part to help us make New York's waterways safe. So with that, I would just really like to thank NASBLA for recognizing Chad with this prestigious award, and Chad, on behalf of New York State Parks, Marine Services, a heartfelt congratulations. Well-deserved and a job well done! Thank you.
CHAD JUENKER:
Thank you.
DARREN RIDER:
Thanks, Chris. So, Chad, you'd like to say a few words?
CHAD JUENKER:
I would, thank you very much. I'd like to first say thank you very much to NASBLA and to you, Darren, and to Taylor. Thank you very much for all this!
I've been doing the marine law enforcement now for a little over 20 years. I've been involved with this and it's truly a passion of mine and it's truly something that I enjoy going to work to do every single day. So, this award is extremely, extremely meaningful. Just being recognized and being considered for it means the world to me. So, thank you very much for that.
I'd also like to just say a special thank you to all our law enforcement agencies through New York State, whether it's the towns, the counties or our federal partners that are out there every day with us. This is truly for all of us guys. I mean, we train together, we work together every day, we’ve been through a lot of difficult situations together, every single day and truly, truly I couldn't do it without all the partnerships that we have here in New York State. So, it means a lot. And I hope everybody here in New York State Rec is recognized for this award as well along with me.
And then, Chris, I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate this, again, just being considered for this means the absolute world to me. And to actually receive this award here today, is just beyond meaningful and I'm beyond words to actually express how much gratitude I have. So, thank you very much for that. You're partnership with all of the law enforcement agencies, working with you every single day, the support you give us through our training programs, and the equipment that you provide, is truly second to none. The agencies throughout New York State are truly, truly appreciative of that relationship we have with you, Chris and Parks and everything else.
And, me personally, it means the world to hear what you've just had to say. I appreciate all of that. Thank you so much and I enjoy working with you every single day. So thank you, Chris. I appreciate that. And thank you again, Darren and NASBLA for the award. It means a lot to me. Thank you.
DARREN RIDER:
Excellent. So final comment – NASBLA would like to thank Trooper Juenker for his passion and commitment to enforcing the law on the water, while also keeping boating safety at the paramount of his daily operations. Congratulations Chad!
CHAD JUENKER:
Thank you.
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Watch the full NASBLA Northern Region Officer of the Year recognition video on NASBLA's Vimeo channel!