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October 25, 2007

DNR Law Enforcement officer named Southeastern Officer of the Year

A York County wildlife officer was recently honored by the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies as the 2007 Wildlife Officer of the Year.

S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Sgt. Richard "Todd" Campbell was awarded Wildlife OfficerSgt. Richard -Todd- Campbell of the Year for 2007 during ceremonies held Monday, Oct. 22 in Charleston, W.Va. Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) is an organization whose members are the state agencies with primary responsibility for management and protection of the fish and wildlife resources in 16 states, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. Member states are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Campbell was also awarded the title of statewide DNR wildlife officer of the year for 2007 on Sept. 28 in Columbia.

DNR agency director John Frampton noted this is a prestigious award for Campbell and the agency, "This is the first time that a South Carolina officer has been given this award," said Frampton. "His attitude and leadership set the standard for his unit, region, and state and now for the entire Southeast."

DNR Law Enforcement Col. Alvin Taylor also praised the Sgt. Campbell for his outstanding work and dedication, "Going beyond the call of duty is routine for Sgt. Campbell," said Col. Taylor. "His law enforcement work sets the bar and he is an example to other officers on how to be a Game Warden."

While Sgt. Campbell has made numerous cases for natural resources violations it must be noted that he also issued 135 warnings (as of April ’07) and has given 42 public presentations. He places the highest priority on the safety and well being of residents and visitors in South Carolina in their use and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources. A large part of that is educating the public with knowledge necessary in making informed natural resource decisions.

He’s made 235 cases, assisted on 188 others and worked 357 night hours. At the beginning of the summer he had already made 44 boat cases including one Boating While Intoxicated and numerous negligent operation cases. He made more than 20 dove cases, 13 of which were hunting over bait. He had an outstanding deer season, making over 30 deer related cases including multiple doe deer cases and 13 cases for hunting deer over bait. With very little waterfowl activity in his area, Campbell still managed to make more than a dozen waterfowl cases consisting of two cases for taking ducks over bait, two cases for over limit ducks, four late shooting cases, and one for taking ducks during closed season. He has made 14 turkey cases this season with 10 of those cases being turkey hunting over bait. Sixty-nine of his cases were made at night, and 51 of his cases were major violations.

DNR protects and manages South Carolina’s natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state’s natural resources and its people.

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