Maine Warden Service honors
WINSLOW — The Maine Warden Service celebrated its 138th anniversary at the Winslow VFW. Included in the March 30 celebration was the annual awards banquet that gives special recognition to game wardens for their performance in 2017.
The work of Maine’s game wardens is diverse and challenging and takes place during the best and worst of weather conditions. Achievements that were recognized included incidents where human lives were saved. Other examples highlighted the conservation of Maine’s resources in ways deserving of special recognition. The Maine Warden Service is proud to be able to honor game wardens that made a distinct difference in people’s lives and for conserving Maine’s natural resources in 2017.
The 2017 K9 Search and Rescue of the Year Award was presented to Game Warden Kevin Pelkey of Corinth and his K9 Badger posthumously. The pair were recognized for a July 24, 2017 search for saving the life of a missing 14-year-old boy in T6 R13, west of Chamberlain Lake and the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. K9 Badger died this year on Feb. 1 at the age of 7 from illness.
Several 2017 Exemplary Service Awards recipients had ties to the region.
Game Warden Will Shuman of St. Albans was recognized for his excellent conservation law enforcement efforts in the Dexter patrol during 2017.
Game Wardens Jonathan Parker (Milford), Jared Herrick (Harmony) and Will Shuman (St. Albans) were each recognized for their efforts regarding a complex smelt investigation in Dexter that included apprehending intentional violators of Maine’s natural resources.
Game Warden Paul Mason of Sebec was recognized for his investigative efforts surrounding an illegal deer hunting case near Brownville. The investigation ultimately charged four men with violations that included possession of firearm by felon, fraudulent purchasing a license, placing deer bait, hunting without a valid license and unsworn falsification.
Game Warden divers Tony Gray (Oxford), Bob Johansen (Millinocket), Rick Ouellette (Hermon), Kyle Hladik (New Vineyard), Jeremy Kemp (Sangerville), Dive Team Leader Cpl. Mike Joy (South Berwick) and Sgt. Bruce Loring (Enfield) were all honored for their outstanding work regarding an 11-day dive team recovery effort for three men who drowned on Square Lake in Aroostook County on June 13, 2017. All three men were recovered because of the dive team’s tireless efforts and skill during poor weather and dangerous water conditions.