New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Brian Wade of Avon, received the 2013 “Officer of the Year” award from the Shikar-Safari Club International in a ceremony hosted at Brant Lake, Warren County on July 8, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens announced today.
“Throughout his 17 year-career as an Environmental Conservation Officer, Brian has demonstrated a true commitment to the environment and the protection of our state’s natural resources,” said Commissioner Martens. “Officer Wade has proven to be a vital asset to DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement and I congratulate him on this well-deserved honor from Shikar-Safari Club International.”
Shikar-Safari Club International was founded in 1952 by an international group of hunters. It promotes hunting education, conservation management and natural resource law enforcement. Each year the club sponsors an award for the Wildlife Conservation Police Officer of the Year in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces and the territories of both nations, acknowledging the important role ECOs play in local, national, and international wildlife conservation. In addition, the New York State chapter annually sponsors an award to a DEC Division of Law Enforcement ECO who has done an outstanding job in the area of wildlife law enforcement.
Wade was born and raised in Rochester, NY and attended SUNY Brockport. He began his career with DEC in 1996, graduating from Basic Academy for Environmental Conservation Officers, a 26-week residential police academy. He initially was assigned to the downstate area just North of New York City, and approximately one year later, transferred to Wayne County where he spent several years learning the basics of being a game warden and conservation officer. Shortly thereafter, ECO Wade transferred to his current patrol area of Livingston County. In assessing candidates for this award, the candidate’s entire career is considered.
Like the other state DEC officers, ECO Wade’s primary responsibility is enforcing the environmental conservation law, including hunting, fishing and trapping laws, and investigating releases of petroleum, asbestos and other hazardous substances. Over the course of his prestigious career, ECO Wade has caught poachers in the middle of the night, arrested drug smugglers, stopped companies from polluting drinking water, assisted with efforts at Ground Zero during 9/11 and identified individuals involved in an exotic species black market trade.
ECO Wade’s work ethic and commitment to his profession resulted in him being nominated and ultimately selected to receive the Shikar-Safari Club Officer of the Year award. Officer Wade has also been honored with The National Wild Turkey Federation ECO of the Year Award.
Connect with DEC on Facebook & Twitter
Contact: Lori Severino (518) 402-8000