CONTACT:
Colonel Kevin Jordan: 603-271-3128
Major Dave Walsh: 603-271-3128
June 11, 2026
Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Law Enforcement Division (NHFGLE) has recognized their 2025 New Hampshire Conservation Officers of the Year as follows.
Lieutenant Mark Ober, Jr., honored with the 2025 Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association of the Year Award
Lt. Mark Ober began his career with NHFGLE in 2005, and after a successful first year, was assigned to Region One in the 13-Patrol Area. During his long tenure as a field officer, Ober served in many roles, performing above and beyond expectations. He quickly became a field training officer, with the important and challenging job of training new officers. Ober would also join the Advanced Search and Rescue Team, responding to years of high-risk search and rescue calls. In 2008, Lieutenant Ober was involved in two very high-profile rescue missions on Mt. Lafayette and Mt. Washington which occurred within a nine-day period. These missions were executed during dangerous and life-threatening winter weather conditions, and the efforts of Ober’s team directly resulted in saving the lives of five different hikers during two separate missions, for which they were recognized that year with a Congressional Life Saving Medal for their heroic efforts. Ober was promoted to Sergeant of District One in May of 2013. In June of 2018, he was promoted to the position of District One Lieutenant where he serves us today.
“Mark has always gone above and beyond the call of duty in an effort to strengthen the vital relationships between our constituents and the Law Enforcement Division,” said NH Fish and Game Law Enforcement Chief Colonel Kevin Jordan. “This is an officer who rarely complains. He comes in every day committed to work hard, to ensure he is providing his team whatever they need to be successful, and he never asks for anything for himself.”
Conservation Officer Ryan Harris named 2025 Shikar-Safari International Wildlife Officer of the Year
Co Ryan Harris began his career with NHFGLE in December 2021. After completing a successful year as a probationary officer, he was assigned to work in a very busy area in the 62-Patrol Area along the New Hampshire seacoast. During his first year as a full-time warden, Harris enforced the complicated collection of state and federal laws that regulate the commercial and recreational saltwater fishery.
In February of 2024, Harris received a patrol transfer to District Four and was assigned to the 47-Patrol Area which included the towns of Keene, Chesterfield, Hinsdale, Winchester, Richmond, Fitzwilliam, Troy, Marlborough, Roxbury, and Swanzy. Also a member of many specialty teams, Harris led his district in warnings and summons this past year.
“Through his consistent hard work and dedication, Conservation Officer Ryan Harris has earned the respect of his law enforcement peers and the public in his district and patrol area,” said Colonel Kevin Jordan. “He has demonstrated the attributes of a professional whose exemplary work performance is an asset to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.”
Lieutenant Robert Mancini, Sergeant Christopher McKee, Conservation Officer James Cyrs, and Conservation Officer Joseph Canfield honored with the Congressional Law Enforcement Unit Citation Award for 2025
Lt. Robert Mancini, Sgt. Christopher McKee, Co Joseph Canfield, and Co James Cyrs executed a high-risk, life-saving mission in Franconia Notch in December of 2024, which would not have been successful without their extraordinary efforts. This team of officers responded to a hiker under physical duress in severe winter conditions on the summit of Franconia Ridge. In waist-deep snow, this team navigated off trail and then cut trees and brush to create a path from which to carry out the hiker, who at the time was losing his battle to stay alive. These officers faced a near impossible task, and refusing to give up, they continued establishing the trail that eventually would lead this hiker to safety.
The heroic efforts of these officers should be recognized as going well above and beyond any call of duty,” said Colonel Kevin Jordan. “This hiker is alive today because of the unwavering commitment of this team to succeed under any and all circumstances.”
Zachary Abrahamsson bestowed with the 2025 New Hampshire Fish and Game Life Saving Award
Co Zachary Abrahamsson was on patrol a short distance from Walpole when he received a call regarding an injured hiker on Mount Kilburn. Because of fading cell service, the hiker’s location and the extent of his injuries were unknown, but he was assumed to be on a steep ledge on the mountainside. As daylight began to fade, local responders disengaged from the scene to procure light sources, and Abrahamsson was left on his own when he made the decision to “free solo,” descending from a cliff without the security of safety ropes in an effort to reach the injured hiker. Abrahamsson placed himself at great risk as he slowly climbed down the face of the steep ledge, making his way to the bottom of a 30-foot cliff to where the hiker was located.
Due to the life-threatening nature of the hiker’s injuries and his deteriorating condition, the decision was made to contact the Army Air National Guard Helicopter Unit to come and lift the hiker to safety.
“There is no question that Abrahamson’s quick thinking and selfless disregard for his own safety allowed him to reach this hiker to stabilize him and to provide the critical information necessary to facilitate this rescue,” said Colonel Kevin Jordan. “His efforts saved critical time, which is the reason this hiker survived this fall. He would have lost his life had it not been for the heroic efforts of Conservation Officer Zachary Abrahamsson.”
Conservation Officer Josiah Towne named recipient of the 2025 Law Enforcement Division Command Staff Award of Excellence
Co Josiah Towne began his career at NHFGFLE in August of 2008. During his first few years as a valued Conservation Officer, Towne worked along the busy coastline where his constituents appreciated all the hard work he invested, gaining the respect of commercial fishermen as well as the public during his tenure there.
In July of 2013, he requested a transfer to the 36-Patrol Area encompassing the towns of Plymouth, Groton, Hebron, Bridgewater, New Hampton, Ashland, Hill, Danbury, and Alexandria, all in District Three.
“Officer Towne effectively overcomes personal and organizational obstacles to achieve results, and he displays a strong spirit of determination,” said Colonel Kevin Jordan. “Josiah believes in the mission of this agency, and he is committed to ensuring that everyone follows our laws at all times and in all situations.”
Colonel Kevin Jordan honored with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 2025 Guy Bradley Award Recognizing Outstanding Lifetime Service
In 1994, Colonel Jordan joined the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department as a conservation officer. His patrol area spanned ten communities across northern Coos County, where he handled everything from wildlife enforcement to OHRV regulations. Jordan rose through the ranks over the following decades with a storied career that continues today.
Despite his executive role, Colonel Jordan is widely known as a “working Colonel.” He regularly joins patrols alongside his officers—whether during peak hunting seasons or on snowmobile and ATV enforcement operations. His presence in the field is more than symbolic; it reflects his belief in leading by example and his commitment to understanding the on-the-ground challenges officers face across a dynamic and ever-changing landscape.
“Colonel Kevin Jordan is a model of professionalism and leadership, widely respected by his peers, the public he serves, and elected officials at every level,” said Fish and Game Executive Director Stephanie Simek, PhD. “His unwavering integrity, strategic vision, and hands-on approach have earned him deep admiration across the law enforcement community and beyond.”