CONTACT:
Colonel Kevin Jordan: (603) 271-3128
Jay Martin: (603) 271-3211
June 21, 2024

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Law Enforcement Division has recognized their 2023 New Hampshire Conservation Officers of the Year as follows.

Conservation Officer Levi Frye honored with the 2023 Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association of the Year Award

Conservation Officer Levi Frye has been with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Law Enforcement Division since September 2017. He is a devoted officer and an active member of the Advanced Search and Rescue Team, a physical fitness instructor, a firearms instructor, and, most recently, a field training officer. CO Frye is very knowledgeable about firearms and is a strong proponent of ensuring officer safety in their handling and use, sharing his insight with his fellow officers through specialized training sessions.

As a member of the Advanced Search and Rescue Team, CO Frye has been called to some of the most grueling and dangerous search and rescue missions. He has the physical ability and mental aptitude to go on assignments that demand only the most skilled, fit, and prepared individuals.

“Levi Frye is an outstanding officer whose dedication to duty is also a testament to his loyalty to the Agency,” said NH Fish and Game Law Enforcement Chief Colonel Kevin Jordan. “I personally feel very fortunate to work with such a devoted and hardworking officer who is continually committed to wildlife conservation and enforcement. I have great confidence in his abilities.”

The Conservation Law Enforcement Chief’s Association (CLECA) is an organization made up of Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs from the states of Virginia to Maine, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement, and Canadian Provinces, with the primary purpose of encouraging and promoting conservation law enforcement cooperation among the eastern states represented. Annually, CLECA recognizes an officer from each state for their outstanding contributions to fish and wildlife protection of our country’s natural resources.

Conservation Officer Robert McDermott named the 2023 Shikar-Safari International Wildlife Officer of the Year
Conservation Officer Robert McDermott was hired in April of 2018. Since the beginning of his career, he has shown tremendous tenacity in the performance of his duties. CO McDermott has also taken on additional responsibilities to include being an active member of the Advanced Search and Rescue Team, the Dive Team, and the Joint Enforcement Agreement Team.

Fish and Game has benefited from his technical prowess; he volunteered to help create an easier on-line registration system to better serve our constituents including alternatives to in-person check in of bear, turkey, and deer. CO McDermott is most well known for his development of Fish and Game’s Drone Team, which he now leads. He was solely responsible for researching the best drone for the job and securing the grant funding to make the technology a reality.

“Rob McDermott’s enthusiasm and his constant effort to maintain a high quality approach to every challenge is refreshing to both his direct supervisors as well as his fellow officers,” said Colonel Kevin Jordan. “This is an officer who continually exhibits good common sense, dedication to duty, and loyalty to a fault”

The Shikar-Safari Club International was founded in 1952 by a group of international hunters who shared experiences and ideas about hunting. The group soon recognized its potential to accomplish meaningful goals in the field of conservation, and in 1973, the Shikar-Safari International Club Foundation was formed. Funds raised by members carry out conservation projects throughout the world.

Conservation Officer Thomas Houghton honored with the National Wild Turkey Federation of New Hampshire Chapter Officer of the Year Award for 2023

Conservation Officer Thomas Houghton began his career with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department in 2020. After his first year of working in different districts across the state, he was assigned to a patrol in the southwest part of the state, home to some of the largest turkey populations in New Hampshire.

CO Houghton has become well known in his patrol area. He has attended job fairs at local colleges and has also addressed students in grade schools and high schools as well as those at the college level. He regularly attends a variety of public-facing events, mentors students, and in 2023, CO Houghton welcomed his new K-9 partner, Aspen. Becoming a K-9 Officer requires taking on a significant amount of additional duties. The training hours alone can be overwhelming.

“The loyalty and commitment we all see from Tom Houghton every day are true reflections of his character and integrity,” said Colonel Kevin Jordan. “He is an outstanding officer whose dedication to duty is a testament to his loyalty and sacrifice to this agency. I have great confidence in his abilities and I look forward to seeing him and Aspen enjoy a long career with the Department.”

Sergeant Alex Lopashanski honored with the Distinguished American Legion New Hampshire Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award for 2023

Sergeant Alex Lopashanski began his career with Fish and Game in March 2008. Throughout his tenure, Sgt. Lopashanski has taken on many additional duties to help him develop as an officer. He is currently a member of ten specialty teams: Field Training Officer, Advanced Search and Rescue Team, Advanced Ice and Rock Technical Climber, Critical Incident Response Team, O.C. Instructor, Expandable Baton Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Dive Team, Honor Guard, and Conservation Officer Hiring Oral Board.

“Alex Lopashanski is an officer who not only cares about his constituents but is committed to the officers he supervises and works with on a daily basis,” said Colonel Kevin Jordan. “He performs at an exceptionally high level and is proficient in all aspects of the job. He never hesitates to go above and beyond the call of duty when necessary and I certainly enjoy his easy going personality. He is a pleasure to work with.”

Conservation Officer Ronald Arsenault, Sergeant Kevin Bronson, and Sergeant Geoffrey Pushee named recipients of the 2023 Law Enforcement Division Command Staff Award of Excellence

This honor was given to CO Ronald Arsenault, Sgt. Kevin Bronson, and Sgt. Geoffrey Pushee to acknowledge their individual efforts to go above and beyond the call of duty. In the late fall of 2023, the officers worked as a unified team by sharing information and evidence regarding multiple suspects, which led to a large number of search and arrest warrants being issued across the state. The officers’ collaboration resulted in the largest NH Fish and Game investigation ever conducted and one of the largest prosecutions ever executed in the Northeast.

The evidence gathered by the three officers supported charges of transportation and possession of several illegally harvested animals, which led to a variety of Lacey Act violations, and subsequently federal criminal charges. Multiple state and federal agencies were involved in this investigation as a result. Forty cases of illegal night hunting, illegally taking bobcats and other big game, and multiple trapping violations were levied. Their investigation also exposed a large drug operation.

“This was certainly the largest and most complicated poaching investigation and prosecution case that the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has conducted in recent history,” said Colonel Kevin Jordan. “Without careful and successful coordination and communication, this case never would have reached its full potential. I want to recognize each of these officers personally for their efforts and determination that went above and beyond the call of duty, ensuring that justice was served.”

Sally Merrill honored with the Law Enforcement Division 2023 Distinguished Appreciation Award

Donald W. Merrill joined the NH Fish and Game Department in 1971 after graduating from the University of New Hampshire and serving two tours of duty in Vietnam as a member of the U.S. Army Security Agency. He served as a Conservation Officer, patrolling District 5. In 1983, Merrill was promoted to sergeant and he served with distinction until his retirement from the Department in 1992.

To honor her husband, Sally Merrill contacted Law Enforcement command staff after his passing in hopes of contributing resources that would assist field officers in the performance of their duties. Over the past several years, Sally has made numerous generous financial donations that have been used to purchase a variety of critical items that were previously out of reach to the Department due to budget constraints.

Significant gifts include trauma first-aid kits for the Advanced Search and Rescue Team and assistance with the purchase of a trailer to safeguard and transport side-scan sonar equipment. Sally’s donations have also enabled the development of CO trading cards and promotional posters, which all Conservation Officers use to help promote the Law Enforcement Division and encourage recruitment. One of her most notable donations allowed for the purchase of tactical vest carriers for our K-9 handlers to protect the dogs and allow their work to be carried out more efficiently during search missions or criminal arrests. Sally also ensured that additional first-aid kits were issued to all field officers to carry in their cruisers.

“Sergeant Merrill was an outstanding example of a dedicated Conservation Officer and it is admirable to receive valuable and much-needed equipment in his memory,” said Colonel Kevin Jordan. “The Law Enforcement Division sincerely thanks Sally Merrill for all of her friendship, generosity, and efforts to ensure the safety and well being of our field Conservation Officers.”