NASBLA Names Regional Winners of the 2025 Butch Potts Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award
The selection process began in January 2025, with NASBLA inviting nominations from states and territories for their outstanding boating law enforcement officers. Regional associations then selected one officer from each region as a recipient, qualifying them for consideration for the national award. The national winner will be announced at the awards ceremony during NASBLA’s 66th Annual Conference in Des Moines, Iowa.
Conservation Officer Nick Rocca of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been named the 2025 Northern Region Officer of the Year. Since joining the DNR, Officer Rocca has exemplified outstanding expertise, leadership, and dedication to ensuring safety on Iowa’s waterways. His commitment to maritime navigation and enforcement has made a significant impact on recreational boating safety. Rocca is a mentor and leader, participating in the annual Seasonal Officer training program, where he dedicates over 60 hours to equipping officers with essential skills. His approach fosters trust and teamwork, providing positive reinforcement and constructive feedback to help seasonal officers grow. By emphasizing best practices for public interaction, Rocca ensures officers carry out their duties with confidence and professionalism. Read more about Conservation Officer Nick Rocca’s achievements throughout his career.
The 2025 Southern Region Officer of the Year is Senior Trooper Jacob Manning with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Marine Patrol Division. Throughout 2024, Senior Trooper Manning demonstrated exceptional commitment, becoming a vital asset to Alabama’s coastal waters. His tireless efforts and skill have significantly enhanced boater safety across the state. Manning’s enforcement efforts were equally impressive. In 2024, he conducted 507 vessel inspections, issuing 268 citations and 505 warnings for violations of Alabama’s boating laws. His 24 boating under the influence (BUI) arrests accounted for over one-third of the state’s total BUI arrests, contributing to Alabama recording its lowest boating fatality rate in 20 years. Over the past three years, he has made 60 BUI arrests, maintaining his impactful presence on the water. Find out more about Senior Trooper Jacob Manning in the full press release.
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These distinguished officers have significantly enhanced the safety of recreational boaters on their states’ waterways. Their steadfast dedication to boating safety has not only strengthened the recreational boating community but also inspired their peers in law enforcement. NASBLA is honored to recognize these three officers as the 2025 regional recipients of the Butch Potts Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, representing excellence across the nation.
NASBLA invites all three regional award recipients to the 66th Annual NASBLA Conference, scheduled for September 16–18, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. Regional awards will be presented during the conference’s awards ceremony, with the national Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year announced at the banquet on Thursday, September 18. Learn more about the regional winners of the 2025 Officer of the Year award.
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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.