The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) recently selected Cpl. Eric Brown, from the Region I Law Enforcement Office headquartered in Calhoun, as both the 2005 State Investigative Ranger of the Year (awarded for outstanding case work on a particular investigation) AND the 2005 Ranger of the Year (honors a Ranger whose efforts in conservation law enforcement have been exceptional over the past year). The Georgia Chapter of the Shikar-Safari Club International sponsors both these awards. Cpl. Jim Bradfield of the Region IV Law Enforcement Office received the 2005 James R. Darnell Award (first runner-up to the Ranger of the Year Award).

“This agency benefits tremendously from having rangers such as Cpl. Eric Brown and Cpl. Jim Bradfield working for us,” says WRD Chief of Law Enforcement Col. Terry West. “Brown especially showed exceptional work this year, in both a particular investigative case as well as in his all-around work for the State as a Conservation Ranger.”

Cpl. Brown, who received both the Investigative Ranger of the Year and Ranger of the Year, is assigned to Carroll County in northwest Georgia. The investigation of one particular incident spurred his nomination for Investigative Ranger of the Year. Dubbed the Illegal Snake Creek Trapping case, this investigation began with an initial complaint in July 2003. After more than 642 hours of work, the assistance of five different agencies (city, state and federal), numerous types of investigative equipment and intense coordination by Brown, this case has resulted in 559 separate counts of illegal activity, including animal cruelty, possession of illegally taken wildlife and selling wildlife.

In addition to this outstanding investigative work, Brown also presented over 42 information and education programs to citizens in his work area, works with the State Archery in the Schools program as an instructor, serves his community through outdoor programs and maintains a high standard of conduct and ethics that is evident to his co-workers and the public.

For more information on any of these awards, call (770) 918-6408.

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