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FWC Officer Specialist Elisha Cernuto named Shikar-Safari Officer of the Year

Posted on October 4, 2023

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer Specialist Elisha Cernuto received the 2023 Shikar-Safari Officer of the Year award at the Commission Meeting in Jensen Beach today. Shikar-Safari Club International is a conservation-based organization that presents awards annually to wildlife law enforcement officers in all states, provinces and territories in the United States and Canada. The annual award honors a state officer whose efforts show outstanding performance and achievement among sworn conservation law enforcement personnel. 

Born and raised in Kentucky, Cernuto moved to Florida after graduating from high school. She joined the FWC in 2016 after serving in the United States Coast Guard and working for the City of Palm Beach Gardens as a police dispatcher.   

As a lead field training officer, Officer Cernuto collaborated with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, drug recognition experts and an FWC boating accident investigator expert to develop a mentoring program for new officers. The program establishes the importance of the FWC’s public safety mission regarding boating under the influence. She also serves as the BUI Task Force leader for her region. 

“I think the most difficult part of receiving any award is thanking everyone you have such a debt of gratitude to, especially when you are surrounded by such a great team. They have been so supportive of all the goals we had on our BUI Task Force,” said Officer Cernuto . “I would be remiss not to thank Senior Investigator Kyle Patterson. Most of the things that caused me to receive this award were things that Kyle Patterson taught me, so this year and going forward everything that I do is to try and honor his memory.” 

Officer Specialist Cernuto deployed for hurricanes Irma, Michael and Ian. During her Hurricane Ian deployment, she played an integral role in overcoming technology communication challenges. Her coordinated approach and experience provided critical information to officers responding to welfare checks and other high priority tasks. 

In 2022, in addition to her many duties, specialty positions, outreach involvement, awards and accomplishments, she participated in four and organized six targeted enforcement details. Cernuto made two major night hunting cases and maintained control of a BUI suspect’s vessel and crew while coordinating a response to capture the subject after his attempt to flee. 

“Officer Specialist Cernuto is a standout leader who positively affects every operation and person she works with. Her ability to influence and bring out the best in others displays the best FWC has to offer and creates a culture of success,” said Col. Brian Smith, director of the FWC Division of Law Enforcement. “It is an honor to present her with this award.” 

When not on duty, Cernuto spends time outdoors with her husband and son. She especially enjoys cycling, hiking and reading and is an active youth leader, facilities maintenance volunteer and Sunday school teacher at her church.   

To learn more about becoming an FWC officer , visit MyFWC.com/GetInvolved and click on “Employment” then “FWC Officers.”

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FWC Officer Elisha Cernuto Named Shikar-Safari Officer of the Year

Posted by Angela Small | Oct 4, 2023 | Community Corner

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Wesche honored as Shikar-Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of the Year

Conservation Officer Spencer Wesche from the Rexburg patrol area as Idaho’s 2023 Shikar-Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of the Year. Photo courtesy Idaho Fish and Game

Conservation Officer Spencer Wesche from the Rexburg patrol area was recently named Idaho’s 2023 Shikar-Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of the Year. Officer Wesche has been recognized for exemplary service to her community, fellow employees and the sportsmen and women of Idaho. Her efforts demonstrate her unwavering commitment to resource protection and conservation.

Shikar-Safari Club International is a conservation-based organization that presents awards annually to wildlife law enforcement officers in all states, provinces and territories in the United States and Canada. The annual award honors a state officer whose efforts show outstanding performance and achievement among sworn conservation law enforcement personnel.

Officer Wesche has been in the Rexburg patrol area for five years. A recent realignment increased her area of responsibility by nearly 25%. She approached this like she does everything, with a positive can-do attitude and professionalism. Officer Wesche detects more crime than most officers. She takes on cases that are detail oriented and time-consuming and sees them through to completion. She continually gathers intelligence and information to establish work priorities and increase efficiency and effectiveness.

“Spencer is an example for others to follow,” said Regional Conservation Officer Barry Cummings. “She is articulate, knowledgeable, dedicated, a team player and committed to resource protection. Spencer always has a smile on her face, maintains a positive attitude and embraces her role as a public servant. She is always, and I do mean always, willing to help others."

In addition to her law enforcement duties, Officer Wesche is passionate about mentoring the next generation. She is dedicated to teaching and informing youth through hunter education and community events. She volunteers to assist students pursuing a career in conservation law enforcement, facilitating numerous ride-a-longs so students can experience a day in the life of a conservation officer. Additionally, she participates in the Women in Law Enforcement workshop in Boise and a Women Warden Workshop event in Montana.

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2023 FWC Officer & Shikar Safari Officer of the Year announced to one officer

Officer Specialist Cernuto is also an FWC boating accident investigator expert and developed a mentoring program for new officers focusing on our public safety mission regarding boating under the influence.

Shikar-Safari honors 2021 Wildlife Officer of the Year 

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Dec. 15, 2021

Suggested Tweet: Shikar-Safari names Investigator Kevin Kleis 2021 @MyFWC #Officer of the Year: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/3010923 #LawEnforcement #Florida #FWC2021  

Shikar-Safari honors 2021 Wildlife Officer of the Year  

Today, the Shikar-Safari Club International named Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Investigator Kevin Kleis its 2021 Wildlife Officer of the Year during the Commission meeting in Destin.  

Shikar-Safari Club International is a conservation-based organization that presents awards annually to wildlife law enforcement officers in all states, provinces and territories in the United States and Canada. The annual award honors a state officer whose efforts show outstanding performance and achievement among sworn conservation law enforcement personnel.  

“It is an honor to stand alongside Investigator Kleis today as he is recognized for his outstanding efforts in conservation with this prestigious award,” said  Col. Roger Young, director of the FWC Division of Law Enforcement . “He is an asset to our division and exemplifies what it means to be an exceptional FWC officer.”  

Originally from Miami-Dade County, Investigator Kleis now patrols Collier County where he shares his time and passion for outdoor activities with his community. He serves as a breath test operator, a general instructor, a field training officer, an academy vessel operations instructor and a defensive tactics instructor. Investigator Kleis has been a member of the region’s Special Operations Group for two years.  

In his off time, Investigator Kleis continuously serves his community and coordinated a fishing tournament outreach event for Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. He has participated in many other outreach events and enjoys giving back to the public by helping them become ambassadors of conservation.   

Over the past year, Investigator Kleis has made numerous cases, arrests, and citations and always has positive interactions with the public. In one case, he assisted in locating and recovering a stolen sailboat, returning it to its owner and arrested a suspect for grand theft. Investigator Kleis also assisted in identifying and arresting a suspect for the illegal taking of a Florida black bear. He obtained a confession and worked with the State Attorney’s Office to obtain an arrest warrant; Investigator Kleis subsequently made the arrest.  

In 2020, Investigator Kleis was awarded the Lifesaving Award and the First Responder Award by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office when he assisted in the search for a 67-year-old missing kayaker who was lost in the Everglades National Park. Investigator Kleis took the lead, coordinating with the National Park Service and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, resulting in locating the severely hypothermic individual. Investigator Kleis rendered first aid and, because of his perseverance and training, saved the individual’s life.   

“I am honored to represent the FWC throughout the year. Each day, I strive to do my best to protect Florida’s natural resources and the public. This achievement is possible because of the support of my family, fellow officers, and my supervisors,” said Investigator Kleis .  

To learn more about becoming an FWC officer, visit: MyFWC.com/GetInvolved and click on “Employment,” then “FWC Officers.”

FWC Officer Dillan Hudson Named 2022 Shikar-Safari Officer of the Year

Florida - Friday December 2, 2022: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer Dillan Hudson received the 2022 Shikar-Safari Officer of the Year award at the FWC Commission meeting in Panama City Beach this past Tuesday.

The Shikar-Safari Club International is a conservation-based organization that presents awards annually to wildlife law enforcement officers in all states, provinces and territories in the United States and Canada. The annual award honors a state officer whose efforts show outstanding performance and achievement among sworn conservation law enforcement personnel.

A third-generation FWC officer, Officer Hudson began his career in conservation law enforcement in 2017. For three years he worked along the coast in Martin County before transferring in 2020 to an inland assignment where he received the 2020 FWC Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding performance as a conservation officer.

Officer Hudson is an active field-training officer, currently serving on the Chronic Wasting Disease sharp shooting team. In 2021 he made eight night hunting cases, four turkey baiting cases, one illegal dog hunting case and five Driving Under the Influence and Boating Under the Influence arrests. In addition to the high volume of resource, BUI and DUI cases, and his training and outreach duties, Officer Hudson was involved in three major investigations.

“Officer Hudson is an exemplary officer who takes pride in his work ethic and regularly motivates others to conduct proactive patrols. He is a positive ambassador for the FWC and for conservation,” said Col. Roger Young, director of the FWC Division of Law Enforcement. “It is an honor to present him with this award.”

When not on duty, Officer Hudson is an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He regularly hunts during his time off and spends quality time in the woods. He is an active member of his church, where he volunteers his time to staff events within his community.

To learn more about becoming an FWC officer , visit MyFWC.com/GetInvolved and click on “Employment,” then “FWC Officers.”

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DNR officers get Wildlife Officer of the Year, Lifesaving honors

December 15, 2023

Two Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers were recognized with awards at Thursday’s Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting at the Lansing Community College West Campus in Lansing.

Dan Robinson named Shikar-Safari’s Michigan Wildlife Officer of the Year

Contact:  Lt. Jeremy Payne , 989-297-2941

Michigan DNR Conservation Officer Dan Robinson was recognized as the 2022 Shikar Safari Michigan Wildlife Officer of the Year. The award, the highest state honor for conservation officers, is given annually.

“Dan Robinson is a dedicated, hardworking role model to others within the DNR and his community,” said Chief Jason Haines, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “Dan is a natural ‘above and beyond’ person who is impactful in his patrols, investigations, training, mentoring, vision and overall leadership. He is very knowledgeable about the law and understands the weight of our mission to protect Michigan’s natural resources.”

Robinson has been a CO since 2015 and is assigned to Isabella County. In 2022, his district peers from a nine-county area voted him as the District Officer of the Year. He was also the Michigan Boating Officer of the Year in 2019 and 2020.

In addition to his daily responsibilities to educate and enforce natural resource laws, Robinson’s other job duties include:

• Field training officer.
• Background investigator.
• First aid instructor, including being selected as a lead instructor in 2022.
• Training academy and water safety instructor.
• Survival tactics instructor.
• National Association of State Boating Law Administrators credentialed instructor.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration certified instructor.
• Certified in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement.

Robinson has dedicated his entire career to the Isabella County area and maintains professional relationships with the public, law enforcement and prosecutor’s office. As a community mentor, he participates in the Mount Pleasant Youth Academy, Project Rural Education Day, Rock Lake Christian Academy and the Expedition Hunting and Angling Scholars: Conservation Officer Pathway through Mid-Michigan Community College.

In his spare time, Robinson is a jiu jitsu practitioner.

Conservation officer honored for actions that helped save Ottawa County man

Contact: Sgt. Cary Foster,  [email protected]

Michigan DNR Conservation Officer Steve Orange was presented with a DNR Lifesaving Award for his response to an incident last spring in which he helped direct swift assistance to a person having a medical emergency.

In May, Orange, was speaking on the phone to Rich Dawkins, a volunteer hunter safety education instructor. Orange noticed Dawkins having increasing difficulty when trying to speak, unable to communicate his birthdate or form clear words.

Orange, who was in Kent County, told Dawkins he would hang up and call 911 to have emergency responders in Ottawa County, where Dawkins was located, go to his residence for a medical check.

At that time, Dawkins knew something was wrong and went outside to wait on his front deck. An Ottawa County 911 operator texted Dawkins, asking if he needed help.

Within minutes, an ambulance and law enforcement officer from Grand Haven Public Safety arrived. The emergency responders immediately assessed that Dawkins was having a stroke and transported him to the hospital.

Dawkins wrote to the DNR, saying he remembered hearing paramedics radio to the hospital that they were on their way with a stroke victim and to have a doctor immediately available.

Within 45 minutes of the onset of symptoms, Dawkins received the appropriate medical care for a stroke. Within 2 1/2 to 4 hours of his symptoms beginning, Dawkins was able to speak.

“During that time at the hospital, I was very shocked and surprised to see Cpl. Orange walk into the room to check on my well-being to make sure I was OK,” Dawkins wrote. “Cpl. Orange said, ‘That was the only thing on my mind, are you OK!’ Without the quick thinking and action of Cpl. Orange, it could have been a very bad day to be me.”

Within weeks, Dawkins fully recovered from the stroke.

“Cpl. Orange’s training kicked in and he was able to identify by sound that there was an immediate medical emergency,” said Chief Jason Haines, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “He knew the appropriate steps to connect with local emergency responders to ensure Mr. Dawkins received quick help and showed true dedication and concern by driving to the hospital to check on Dawkins. The DNR is very grateful to have both of you here today. Thank you for all you do to educate the next generation of hunters.”

Dawkins has been a volunteer hunter safety education instructor since 2014. Orange has been a CO since 2004 and coordinates volunteer hunter safety education instructors and programs.

Michigan conservation officers are fully licensed law enforcement officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect residents through general law enforcement and conducting lifesaving operations in the communities they serve. Learn more at  Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers .

Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

Robinson : Michigan DNR Conservation Officer Dan Robinson, who patrols Isabella County, was recognized as the 2022 Shikar Safari Michigan Wildlife Officer of the Year, the highest state honor for conservation officers, given annually. Pictured L to R: DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief Jason Haines, Sgt. Jason Smith, CO Dan Robinson, Greg Murtland, Shikar Safari Club International, Lt. Jeremy Payne, Sgt. Chad Foerster.

Orange : Michigan DNR Conservation Officer Steve Orange was presented with a DNR Lifesaving Award for his response to an incident in May, in which Orange noticed the hunter safety education instructor he was on the phone with was having a medical emergency. Pictured L to R: Cpl. Steve Orange, Rich Dawkins, volunteer hunter safety education safety instructor.

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Michigan DNR Officers Get Wildlife Officer of the Year, Lifesaving Honors

Two Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers were recognized with awards at Thursday’s Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting at the Lansing Community College West Campus in Lansing.

Dan Robinson named Shikar-Safari’s Michigan Wildlife Officer of the Year

Michigan DNR Conservation Officer Dan Robinson was recognized as the 2022 Shikar Safari Michigan Wildlife Officer of the Year. The award, the highest state honor for conservation officers, is given annually.

“Dan Robinson is a dedicated, hardworking role model to others within the DNR and his community,” said Chief Jason Haines, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “Dan is a natural ‘above and beyond’ person who is impactful in his patrols, investigations, training, mentoring, vision and overall leadership. He is very knowledgeable about the law and understands the weight of our mission to protect Michigan’s natural resources.”

Robinson has been a CO since 2015 and is assigned to Isabella County. In 2022, his district peers from a nine-county area voted him as the District Officer of the Year. He was also the Michigan Boating Officer of the Year in 2019 and 2020.

In addition to his daily responsibilities to educate and enforce natural resource laws, Robinson’s other job duties include:

• Field training officer.
• Background investigator.
• First aid instructor, including being selected as a lead instructor in 2022.
• Training academy and water safety instructor.
• Survival tactics instructor.
• National Association of State Boating Law Administrators credentialed instructor.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration certified instructor.
• Certified in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement.

Robinson has dedicated his entire career to the Isabella County area and maintains professional relationships with the public, law enforcement and prosecutor’s office. As a community mentor, he participates in the Mount Pleasant Youth Academy, Project Rural Education Day, Rock Lake Christian Academy and the Expedition Hunting and Angling Scholars: Conservation Officer Pathway through Mid-Michigan Community College.

In his spare time, Robinson is a jiu jitsu practitioner.

Conservation officer honored for actions that helped save Ottawa County man

Michigan DNR Conservation Officer Steve Orange was presented with a DNR Lifesaving Award for his response to an incident last spring in which he helped direct swift assistance to a person having a medical emergency.

In May, Orange, was speaking on the phone to Rich Dawkins, a volunteer hunter safety education instructor. Orange noticed Dawkins having increasing difficulty when trying to speak, unable to communicate his birthdate or form clear words.

Orange, who was in Kent County, told Dawkins he would hang up and call 911 to have emergency responders in Ottawa County, where Dawkins was located, go to his residence for a medical check.

At that time, Dawkins knew something was wrong and went outside to wait on his front deck. An Ottawa County 911 operator texted Dawkins, asking if he needed help.

Within minutes, an ambulance and law enforcement officer from Grand Haven Public Safety arrived. The emergency responders immediately assessed that Dawkins was having a stroke and transported him to the hospital.

Dawkins wrote to the DNR, saying he remembered hearing paramedics radio to the hospital that they were on their way with a stroke victim and to have a doctor immediately available.

Within 45 minutes of the onset of symptoms, Dawkins received the appropriate medical care for a stroke. Within 2 1/2 to 4 hours of his symptoms beginning, Dawkins was able to speak.

“During that time at the hospital, I was very shocked and surprised to see Cpl. Orange walk into the room to check on my well-being to make sure I was OK,” Dawkins wrote. “Cpl. Orange said, ‘That was the only thing on my mind, are you OK!’ Without the quick thinking and action of Cpl. Orange, it could have been a very bad day to be me.”

Within weeks, Dawkins fully recovered from the stroke.

“Cpl. Orange’s training kicked in and he was able to identify by sound that there was an immediate medical emergency,” said Chief Jason Haines, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “He knew the appropriate steps to connect with local emergency responders to ensure Mr. Dawkins received quick help and showed true dedication and concern by driving to the hospital to check on Dawkins. The DNR is very grateful to have both of you here today. Thank you for all you do to educate the next generation of hunters.”

Dawkins has been a volunteer hunter safety education instructor since 2014. Orange has been a CO since 2004 and coordinates volunteer hunter safety education instructors and programs.

Michigan conservation officers are fully licensed law enforcement officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect residents through general law enforcement and conducting lifesaving operations in the communities they serve. Learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers .