S.D. Conservation Officers Honor One Of Their Own
PIERRE, S.D. –-(AmmoLand.com)- The South Dakota Conservation Officers Association has named Jeremy Rakowicz of Sioux Falls as the group’s 2009 Conservation Officer of the Year.
The association, which includes both active and retired conservation officers, nominates and honors an officer each year from its ranks of officers and members.
Rakowicz began working for the Game, Fish and Parks Department in 1997 at Ipswich, and now is stationed in Sioux Falls. Besides his regular duties as a conservation officer, he is also a wildlife conservation training officer who assists new officers as they prepare for their duty stations. He is also a defensive tactics instructor.
“Jeremy is always seeking self improvement and is willing to take on leadership roles within the department,” said SDCOA President Blair Waite.
Waite added that a perfect example of Rakowicz’s leadership came when Marty Pennock, a conservation officer supervisor in Sioux Falls, was sent overseas for active military duty in 2008 and 2009. Rakowicz assumed those duties in Pennock’s absence.
“Jeremy is a very well-respected officer in the department who fully understands the mission of our state’s wildlife law enforcement,” Waite said.
Rakowicz will receive his award at SDCOA’s annual spring meeting.