14 Complete TWRA Wildlife Officer Training
Wednesday, December 07, 2011 | 09:17am
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has commissioned 14 persons who have completed wildlife officer training. The officers received their commissions in a ceremony at the Nashville TWRA Office.
Several of the officers were already employed in different capacities with the TWRA. The group went through a thorough training program.
The new TWRA officers and their primary assigned areas are: Barry Baird (Marion County), Dustin Buttram (Wilson County), Matt Canada (Hardeman County), Jay Corbitt (Henderson County), Brandon Gavrock (Perry County), Josh Landrum (Houston County), Richard Lyle (Stewart County), Andrew Ward (Hamilton County), Timothy Ward (Lauderdale County), and Wade Young (Scott County). Officer Joel Hyden will work temporarily in Anderson County until he receives a permanent assignment.
Three wildlife management area (WMA) managers also completed their training. Chris Ogle will serve as wildlife manager at North Cumberland WMA while Josh Campbell will serve in Region II and Jason Maxedon in Region I.
As wildlife officers, their duties will include enforcing and educating the public of hunting and fishing regulations, boating regulations, conducting hunter education programs and public education in the outdoors, and habitat management.
Jason Maxedon, a Dyer County native who is being assigned to oversee various WMAs and refuges in Dyer and Lake County, was recognized as the winner of the George Gregory Award. The honor recognizes the officer who is the most outstanding in the class and overcomes the most obstacles. The award is named in honor of the former wildlife officer who died in 2005 following a short battle with cancer.
In addition to the TWRA training, all of the officers will complete additional training at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Academy early next year.
TWRA is an organization of more than 600 professionals dedicated to the preservation, conservation, and enhancement of Tennessee’s fish and wildlife.
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(above photo)
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency commissioned 14 officers who completed their training this fall. Front row, from left; Joel Hyden, Chris Ogle, Barry Baird, Jason Maxedon, Jay Corbitt, and Josh Landrum. . Second row; Josh Campbell, Brandon Gavrock, Andrew Ward, Richard Lyle, Dustin Buttram, Tim Ward, and Wade Young. Third row, Assistant Chief Glenn Moates, Chief Darren Rider, Assistant Chief Steve Nifong, and Executive Director Ed Carter.