CONTACT:
Colonel Kevin Jordan: (603) 271-3128
Jay Martin: (603) 271-3211
June 3, 2025

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Law Enforcement Division has recognized their 2024 New Hampshire Conservation Officers of the Year as follows.

Conservation Officer Richard Crouse honored with the 2024 Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association of the Year Award

Conservation Officer Richard Crouse has been with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Law Enforcement Division since December 2017. Officer Crouse does not shy away from challenges and is a physical fitness instructor, a field training officer, and a defensive tactics trainer. He was also instrumental in the establishment of our new Tactical Incident Reconstruction Team, the members of which are trained to re-create critical or technical accident or shooting scenes to assist with complex investigations and prosecutions.

A recent addition to the K-9 team, CO Crouse and his K-9 partner Koda have successfully met all the rigid standards required to join this unit including an intensive 6-week training program and a year’s long training effort with New Hampshire Fish and Game’s other K-9 teams, to became certified in scent discriminant tracking, obedience, evidence detection, gun powder detection and fish and wildlife detection.

“Conservation Officer Richard Crouse is an outstanding officer whose dedication to duty is a testament to his loyalty to this 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.”

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.

Sergeant Kevin Bronson named the 2024 Shikar-Safari International Wildlife Officer of the Year


Sergeant Kevin Bronson was hired in November of 2012, and after assignments across the state, was promoted to District Four Sergeant where he continues to serve today. Sergeant Bronson is an asset to his district and the Law Enforcement Division, always ready to step up to face any challenge while maintaining a high level of energy and applying a teamwork approach to everything he does. Sergeant Bronson has also taken on additional responsibilities to include being an active member of the Advanced Search and Rescue Team, the Side Scan Sonar Team, and is one of our field training officers, dedicated to preparing new officers for success. Sergeant Bronson has also served on the Law Enforcement Division Honor Guard, is a defensive tactics instructor, and a physical fitness instructor.

Fish and Game has benefitted from Sergeant Bronson’s interpersonal skills; he understands the value of public outreach. He was a very popular television personality during the production of Northwood’s Law and has successfully leveraged his notoriety for the recruitment of future officers, taking all opportunities to enhance our recruitment efforts.

“What I enjoy most about Kevin is the fact that he is not at all afraid of a long hard day and he embraces those days with a positive attitude and level of professionalism that I am very proud to see,” said Colonel Kevin Jordan. “He is a tenacious investigator, and I have received many letters and e-mails from his constituents complimenting his efforts in his patrol area.”

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 Ronald Arsenault honored with the National Wild Turkey Federation of New Hampshire Chapter Officer of the Year Award for 2024

Conservation Officer Ronald Arsenault began his career with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department in 2008. After working in different districts across the state, CO Arsenault was assigned to District Two in 2011, which was where he grew up.

CO Arsenault is well known in his patrol area, and we hear from his constituents all the time that he is approachable and has an easy-going personality. Because of these traits and his sincerity, people are willing to provide information regarding violations or concerns they may have because of his positive attitude. A true sportsman and champion of fair chase, CO Arsenault is a tenacious investigator and prosecutor of wildlife crimes, recently closing one of the largest night-hunting cases New Hampshire has ever prosecuted, spanning the state and multiple suspects.

“The loyalty and commitment we all see from Officer Arsenault every day are a true reflection of his character and integrity,” said Colonel Kevin Jordan. “These traits, while not easy to train, are extremely valuable to becoming a successful investigator. He treats people with respect and dignity no matter the circumstances and is an excellent example of what we wish Conservation Officers might strive to represent as a member of the Law Enforcement Division.”

Lieutenant James Kneeland named recipient of the 2024 Law Enforcement Division Command Staff Award of Excellence

Lieutenant Kneeland began his career with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department in May of 1992 and in 2011 he assumed the role of Lieuteneant of District Three, rising to the challenge and exceeding expectations as he always has for some 14 years now. A field training officer, Joint Enforcement Team member, background investigator, physical fitness instructor, and former Dive Team member, Lieutenant Kneeland’s experience prepared him for the leadership required during challenging times. It has been the Lieutenant’s leadership of the elite Advanced Search and Rescue Team over the past 14 years that has led to many positive outcomes that could have been tragedies thanks to his critical thinking, decision making, and understanding of human behavior in the wilderness.

“While Lieutenant Kneeland always makes sure others receive awards and recognition when justified, his efforts throughout his career have gone beyond the call of duty,” said Colonel Kevin Jordan. “We are proud to present the Lieutenant the Law Enforcement Division’s prestigious Command Staff Award of Excellence for maintaining the highest standard of excellence in leadership and for a stellar career marked by amazing accomplishments.”

George Tombarello honored with the Law Enforcement Division 2024 Distinguished Appreciation Award

Lieutenant Scott Lacrosse joined New Hampshire Fish and Game in 1988 and was assigned to District Five where he served with distinction for 22 years. He was promoted to the District Five Sergeant’s position in 2011, serving as the Assistant District Five Chief. Lacrosse would later be promoted to the position as the District Five Lieutenant in 2015, and he then held the position as the District Five Chief until his retirement in July of 2018. Lacrosse made friends easily, and one person he became close with was George Tombarello. They would get together quite often when Lacrosse was patrolling, and Tombarello would later share that his easygoing personality made him a pleasure to spend time with. Because of Tombarello’s love of the outdoors, they spent a lot of time together.

The entire Tombarello family has supported New Hampshire Fish and Game for many years. To honor his friend, George contacted Law Enforcement command staff regarding contributing resources that would assist field officers in the performance of their duties. Over the past several years, George has made numerous generous financial donations that have been used to purchase critical items that were previously out of reach to the Department due to budget constraints.

Significant gifts include a donation that was used to help restore the Sewalls Falls Fish and Game storage facility here in Concord, funds for the Search and Rescue account that then purchased first-aid equipment for the K-9 Teams, and the acquisition of additional first aid kits for field officers to carry in their cruisers. Following the loss of Conservation Officer Levi Frye, George requisitioned memorial pins to honor Levi’s memory that we will wear until the anniversary of his passing. One of his most notable contributions allowed for the purchase of state-of the-art equipment for accident and shooting incident investigation re-creation. With the arrival of the Leica equipment, we can create forensic mapping and accurate scene replication at a superior quality.

“Lieutenant Lacrosse 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 George Tombarello for all of his friendship, generosity, and efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our field Conservation Officers.”