Wildlife Resources Commission Promotes Byerly to Lieutenant

RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 27, 2006) – Russell “Rusty” Byerly, a 22-year veteran law enforcement officer with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, was recently promoted to lieutenant with the agency.

Byerly will manage and supervise platoon operations for hunting, fishing and boating regulations in an area that includes Rutherford, Cleveland, Catawba, Lincoln and Gaston counties. The area also encompasses Lake Norman, Lake Wylie and Mountain Island Lake, three reservoirs that are among the state’s most popular recreational boating destinations.

In addition, Byerly will coordinate hunter education and boating safety education programs.

“That’s an important part of the job for me, emphasizing safety,” he said. “The hunter education program includes the Youth Hunter Safety Tournaments, which means a lot, since you get to work with some outstanding young people. And with this region being so active on local waterways, teaching and enforcing safe boating is a big responsibility.”

A native of Thomasville, he is the son of Russell and Jeanette Byerly and a graduate of East Davidson High School. He has a degree in Fish and Wildlife Management from Haywood Community College.

Byerly lives in Dallas, N.C. with his wife, Lisa and their two children, Courtney, 18, and Cole, 14.