Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2002
For more information: Emmett Keyser, 773-4607

DARREN SCHROEDER AWARDED 2002 WILDLIFE OFFICER OF THE YEAR

PIERRE - Darren Schroeder, Fall River County conservation officer for the Department of Game, Fish and Parks, was recently named the 2002 South Dakota Wildlife Officer of the Year. 

Each year, the Shikar-Safari Club International joins with state and provincial fish and wildlife agencies in recognizing wildlife conservation officers for their exemplary work in the areas of wildlife protection, wildlife law enforcement and in the implementation of important wildlife conservation programs.

"Darren, known as DJ, is very deserving of this prestigious award, and the department is proud to have selected him as this year's Wildlife Officer of the Year," said Assistant Wildlife Director Emmett Keyser. "Conservation Officer Schroeder has certainly demonstrated all of the qualities one would expect to find in an officer awarded such an honor. As a recent appointee to Fall River County, Darren has faced a year of new challenges and has exhibited an unparalleled desire to succeed while focused on the department’s mission to serve the public. While he is relatively new to his current duty station, he has 12 years of field experience behind him, and over that time, has developed into an outstanding representative of our agency."

Officer Schroeder’s first challenge was to become acquainted with the public and focus on the law enforcement program needs in his new work district. 

"He accomplished this on all fronts by building important relationships and making solid cases in every facet of his work," Keyser noted. "The enforcement of boating safety laws was perhaps the area in need of the greatest amount of attention in his new station, and officer Schroeder impressively stepped up to the challenge. 

"Occasionally, every officer is faced with a unique problem. How they face it is a true indicator of their abilities.

"South Dakota’s first case of Chronic Wasting Disease detected in wild, free roaming deer occurred in officer Schroeder’s work district," Keyser said. "In coordinating work with area ranchers in an attempt to get a handle on this problem, he displayed the utmost professionalism. He remained extremely involved with the planning, implementation and management processes, and I can say without a doubt that his direct involvement with local landowners resulted in unprecedented cooperation with department efforts to determine to what extent the disease was present in the Fall River County deer herd."

Regional Supervisor Mike Kintigh of Rapid City speaks highly of Schroeder’s ability and desire to focus on teamwork to accomplish the department’s goals. 

"If help is ever needed, Darren will be one of the first to volunteer, and he will often ask to help before the request is made. Overall, this officer’s efforts to work as a real team member is the standard by which other employees are measured," Kintigh said.

In conclusion Keyser said, "Conservation Officer Darren Schroeder has excelled in his abilities as a conservation officer and serves as an example to all his coworkers in every aspect of his job and his life. For this, we are proud to recognize him as South Dakota’s 2002 Shikar-Safari Wildlife Officer of the Year."

-30-