Wildlife Officer Richard Tucker is Tops for Boating Law Enforcement

RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 6, 2007) – Officer Richard Tucker of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is the state’s 2007 top boating law enforcement officer, recognized for his outstanding efforts to promote safety on waterways.

“Officer Tucker is proactive in enforcement and education, very active on lake patrols and has been involved with several rescue operations,” said Capt. Ted Brothers, supervisor for the district. “In one rescue, Officer Tucker noticed a boat adrift that had hit a bridge abutment, spilling its occupant. He helped him from the water and, on reaching shore, treated the victim for hypothermia until EMS arrived. His quick action was, if not lifesaving, certainly prevented the situation from becoming life threatening.”

The prestigious award is presented annually by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and its regional partner, the Southern States Boating Law Administrators Association.

“The state awards were created to honor boating law enforcement officers around the country, to recognize all the different and sometimes difficult responsibilities they have,” said Kimberly Jenkins, the association’s Awards Committee staff member. “Each award symbolizes the highest level of achievement among boating law enforcement officers in the United States.”

In addition to performance of duties, Officer Tucker, of Granite Falls, routinely updates his training while also providing safe boating instruction in the community. He is an open water diver, an Underwriters Laboratories certified investigator and K-9 handler.

The national officer of the year honors will be named from state honorees in Burlington, Vermont, at the association’s annual awards banquet on Monday (Sept. 10).