A state Department of Natural Resources Officer who calls Clarendon County home was one of seven such officers from throughout the state to be honored recently for their dedication and diligence in protecting the state's natural resources through enforcement, education, special investigations, intelligence and records and staff operations.
In a ceremony held Sept. 23 in Columbia, Private 1st Class Jordan Douglas of Clarendon County was named the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators Boating Officer of the Year.
The annual awards and banquet are dedicated to the late R.M. "Bobby" Gifford, a highly regarded law enforcement officer who served as chief of the SCDNR Law Enforcement Division for many years. The S.C. Wildlife Officers’ Association, the Harry Hampton Wildlife Fund, the family of Chief Gifford and the SCDNR come together annually to honor the state's top officers.
Overall, Private 1st Class West Stewart of Lancaster was recognized statewide as the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. It was Stewart's second year in a row with such an honor.
Other SCDNR officers were recognized from all of the state’s Natural Resources Enforcement Regions, including:
Private 1st Class Ryan Abernathy of Ware Shoals from Region 1 (Anderson, Abbeville, McCormick, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, Union, Cherokee, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties).
Private 1st Class Ed Laney of Sumter County from Region 3 (Newberry, Saluda, Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Lexington, Richland, Sumter, Calhoun, Orangeburg and Clarendon counties).
Lance Cpl. Michael Brock of Bluffton from Region 4 (Horry, Georgetown, Berkeley, Hampton, Charleston, Beaufort, Colleton, Dorchester and Jasper counties).
Staff Sgt. J.B. Kinsey of St. George for Law Enforcement Investigations and Education.
In addition to these six officers, Sgt. Jim Shelton was recognized for his selection earlier in the year as the NASBLA Southern Region Boating Educator of the Year at that group’s annual conference. Shelton is assigned to the Law Enforcement Education Section in Region 4 as an Education Coordinator.
Regional and statewide officers of the year are selected by a committee of key SCDNR law enforcement personnel and captains and rated in six categories, including employment history; enforcement activities and specialties; awards, achievements and accomplishments; leadership, teamwork and attitude; family and community involvement; and outstanding cases.
The overall Officer of the Year is then chosen from among these officers.
