Jim Dooley Recognized as Tennessee Wildlife Officer of the Year
Friday, February 27, 2009 | 02:52am
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Jim Dooley has been recognized as the 2008 Tennessee Wildlife Officer of the Year. The veteran officer was honored during the February meeting of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission and prior at the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) which held its annual conference in Corpus Christi, Texas.
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.
Dooley assigned to Macon County,is an integral part of the Area 21 team in the northern portion of Middle Tennessee. Macon County and the town of Lafayette were hit by an F-4 tornado last February and Dooley worked with the Macon County Sheriff’s Department and other agencies on search, rescue and security in the area. Dooley’s home was damaged by the storm, but he assisted the citizens of the county for several days and since in cleanup efforts.
Dooley has been very active in his public outreach efforts. He presented presentation to civic organizations in Macon County, operated a booth at the Macon County Fair and participated in Veteran’s Day activities. In addition, he has taught programs at the two Macon County high schools, including instructing the Scholastic Clay Target Program and envirothon teams.
In the past year, Dooley worked with other TWRA personnel, the Macon County Sheriff’s Department, and Macon County school administration to plan and build a trap range for the SCTP team on school grounds, becoming the first range of its kind to be constructed on school property in Tennessee. Dooley is in the process of working to arrange for the school system to incorporate the TWRA Hunter Education and Boating Education classes as part of the high school curriculum in Macon County.
Dooley inspected more than 500 persons for compliance of TWRA laws, proclamations, rules and regulations. He worked with Kentucky Wildlife officials in a cooperative big game case that resulted in charges in both states.
Dooley has been closely associated with the local chapter of Quail Unlimited and has provided technical assistance to local landowners and promotion of upland game/small game practices. He also performed pond checks and conducted dove call counts for Macon County residents.
Dooley secured an arrangement with a local water bottling company in Red Boiling Springs to provide cases of bottled water to the TWRA for the “Wear It! Tennessee” campaign to increase life jacket usage in the state. He also assists adjacent counties on busy boating days and when assigned.
Dooley is regarded by his peers as a diligent worker and law enforcement officer who treats everyone with courtesy and respect.
---TWRA---
(above photo)
Tennessee Wildlife Officer of the Year, Jim Dooley (center) with TWRA Law Enforcement Chief Sonny Richardson (left) and Area 21 Law Enforcement Supervisor, Cape Taylor.