Cpl. Brian Hobbins Declared DNR Ranger Of The Year
SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. – -(AmmoLand.com)- The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division selected Corporal Brian Hobbins of the Thomson Law Enforcement office as the 2009 State Ranger of the Year. As runner-up, Corporal Tommy Daughtrey of Albany received the 2009 James R. Darnell Award.
“The State of Georgia is fortunate to have people such as Cpl. Hobbins and Cpl. Daughtrey who dedicate their lives to protecting our natural resources,” says Lt. Col. Homer Bryson, Wildlife Resources Division’s acting chief of Law Enforcement. “I commend both honorees for their dedication and contributions toward Georgia’s conservation enforcement efforts.”
This is just one of many honors Hobbins has received during his 18-year career as a conservation officer. He received Investigative Ranger of the Year honors in 2003 and 2008 for the Thomson region, and was honored as the State Waterfowl Officer of the Year in 1996 as well as the National Wild Turkey Federation Officer of the Year for the Thomson region in 1993.
According to supervisor Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, Hobbins’ dedication and stellar work ethic has earned him the respect of both his peers and the public.
Hobbins holds a Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice and serves the division as an instructor for the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council in the areas of firearms, boating and environmental crimes.
Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey, recipient of the James R. Darnell Award, is committed to serving the public at every opportunity. In fact, this past year, Daughtrey is credited with taking control of a chaotic incident in which a child was hit and injured by a vehicle. Daughtrey’s effort and administration of CPR and other life-sustaining measures were invaluable during such an emergency.
Daughtrey has received numerous nominations for Ranger of the Year for the Thomson region, and his supervisor, Sgt. David Ruddell, credits him with a highly-effective community-oriented approach to law enforcement which extends beyond the department’s mission and goals.
DNR proudly awarded him “The Fawn,” a James R. Darnell sculpture traditionally awarded the runner-up.
In the process of determining the Ranger of the Year, DNR selected one nominee from each of the seven DNR Law Enforcement regions. They were:
· Region 1, Calhoun – RFC Ben Cunningham · Region 2, Gainesville – Cpl. Craig Fulghum · Region 3, Thomson – Cpl. Brian Hobbins (Ranger of the Year Award recipient) · Region 4, Macon – Cpl. Lynn Stanford · Region 5, Albany – Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey (James R. Darnell Award recipient) · Region 6, Metter – RFC Tim Hutto · Region 7, Brunswick – RFC Mark Carson
For more information on the 2009 State Ranger of the Year and James R. Darnell Awards, call the Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Headquarters office at (770) 918-6408.