Windknot
07-03-07, 02:39 PM
SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (July 2, 2007) - The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) recently awarded two outstanding WRD law enforcement rangers. Ranger First Class (RFC) Shane Sartor of the Region II-Gainesville Law Enforcement office was selected as the 2007 State Ranger of the Year, and Corporal James Keener of the Region I-Calhoun Law Enforcement office received the 2007 James R.
Darnell award (first runner-up to the Ranger of the Year Award).
"The State of Georgia is fortunate that we have people, such as RFC Sartor and Cpl. Keener, who will dedicate their lives to protecting our natural resources," says WRD Chief of Law Enforcement Col. Terry West.
"I commend both honorees for their dedication and contributions toward our conservation enforcement efforts."
State Ranger of the Year RFC Sartor began his career with WRD in 2000 as a conservation ranger. He now serves WRD as a conservation ranger first class in Madison County. Sartor’s dedication is evident in all aspects of his law enforcement work. Over the past year, Sartor presented 28 information and education programs to the public, taught four hunter education courses and helped organize three kid’s fishing events for special needs children, and a youth dove hunt, providing lunch and prizes to 75+ attendees. In addition, he is very involved in his community - he participates in an outdoor group with his church and continually writes articles for the local paper, informing citizens of important season dates. In 2004 he was recognized as the Region II National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) Officer of the Year. As a valuable leader and team player, Sartor offers assistance as requested, traveling throughout the region, assisting all WRD efforts in addition to both local and statewide needs. In January, he waded a river for two days searching for a murder weapon to assist in a Madison County Sheriff’s Office case. According to his supervisor Sgt. Stan Elrod, Sartor is one of the most courteous rangers whose positive attitude and self-motivating work ethic set him apart.
Cpl. Keener, recipient of the James R. Darnell award, began his career with WRD in 1998 as a conservation ranger. He now serves WRD as a conservation corporal in Pickens County where he is the Region I Chief Firearms Instructor. Extremely community-oriented, Keener was recently recognized by the Rome/Floyd county parks and recreation department for his organization and establishment of the "Youth Outdoors" program, which provides outdoor recreational opportunities for youth around the community. He is also involved with a number of local groups, including the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Christian Sportsmans Groups, Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful and the Boy/Girl Scouts of America, among others. Over the past year, Keener has proven his dedication through his involvement in 75 information and education programs, 47 general and boating safety programs, various hunter development programs and numerous interviews with local radio stations and newspapers. According to his supervisor Sgt. John Van Landingham, Keener consistently strives for excellence in enforcement, training and community involvement.
The State Ranger of the Year Award serves to honor a WRD Conservation Ranger whose efforts in conservation law enforcement have been exceptional over the past year. The ranger of the year award recipient is also recognized by the Shikar-Safari Club International.
The James R. Darnell award honors the WRD Conservation Ranger who is the first runner-up for the State Ranger of the Year Award. A sculpture titled "The Fawn" by artist James R. Darnell is presented to the
winner of this award each year.
Nominees were selected per region and the representatives were as
follows: Region I - Cpl. James Keener; Region II - RFC Shane Sartor; Region III - Cpl. Matt Garthright; Region IV - Cpl. Susan Morris; Region V - RFC Mike Binion; Region VI - RFC Jason Shipes; Region VII - Cpl. Jesse Cook.
__________________________________________________ __________
NGTO congratulates Rangers Sartor and Keener with a virtual toast! :cheers:
Darnell award (first runner-up to the Ranger of the Year Award).
"The State of Georgia is fortunate that we have people, such as RFC Sartor and Cpl. Keener, who will dedicate their lives to protecting our natural resources," says WRD Chief of Law Enforcement Col. Terry West.
"I commend both honorees for their dedication and contributions toward our conservation enforcement efforts."
State Ranger of the Year RFC Sartor began his career with WRD in 2000 as a conservation ranger. He now serves WRD as a conservation ranger first class in Madison County. Sartor’s dedication is evident in all aspects of his law enforcement work. Over the past year, Sartor presented 28 information and education programs to the public, taught four hunter education courses and helped organize three kid’s fishing events for special needs children, and a youth dove hunt, providing lunch and prizes to 75+ attendees. In addition, he is very involved in his community - he participates in an outdoor group with his church and continually writes articles for the local paper, informing citizens of important season dates. In 2004 he was recognized as the Region II National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) Officer of the Year. As a valuable leader and team player, Sartor offers assistance as requested, traveling throughout the region, assisting all WRD efforts in addition to both local and statewide needs. In January, he waded a river for two days searching for a murder weapon to assist in a Madison County Sheriff’s Office case. According to his supervisor Sgt. Stan Elrod, Sartor is one of the most courteous rangers whose positive attitude and self-motivating work ethic set him apart.
Cpl. Keener, recipient of the James R. Darnell award, began his career with WRD in 1998 as a conservation ranger. He now serves WRD as a conservation corporal in Pickens County where he is the Region I Chief Firearms Instructor. Extremely community-oriented, Keener was recently recognized by the Rome/Floyd county parks and recreation department for his organization and establishment of the "Youth Outdoors" program, which provides outdoor recreational opportunities for youth around the community. He is also involved with a number of local groups, including the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Christian Sportsmans Groups, Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful and the Boy/Girl Scouts of America, among others. Over the past year, Keener has proven his dedication through his involvement in 75 information and education programs, 47 general and boating safety programs, various hunter development programs and numerous interviews with local radio stations and newspapers. According to his supervisor Sgt. John Van Landingham, Keener consistently strives for excellence in enforcement, training and community involvement.
The State Ranger of the Year Award serves to honor a WRD Conservation Ranger whose efforts in conservation law enforcement have been exceptional over the past year. The ranger of the year award recipient is also recognized by the Shikar-Safari Club International.
The James R. Darnell award honors the WRD Conservation Ranger who is the first runner-up for the State Ranger of the Year Award. A sculpture titled "The Fawn" by artist James R. Darnell is presented to the
winner of this award each year.
Nominees were selected per region and the representatives were as
follows: Region I - Cpl. James Keener; Region II - RFC Shane Sartor; Region III - Cpl. Matt Garthright; Region IV - Cpl. Susan Morris; Region V - RFC Mike Binion; Region VI - RFC Jason Shipes; Region VII - Cpl. Jesse Cook.
__________________________________________________ __________
NGTO congratulates Rangers Sartor and Keener with a virtual toast! :cheers: