HARRISBURG, Pa. (May 1) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is pleased to announce several awards presented to Waterways Conservation Officers (WCO) in recognition of outstanding achievements in law enforcement. Awards were presented during the PFBC Board of Commissioners quarterly business meeting on April 29, 2024, in Harrisburg.
The Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association Officer of the Year Award was presented to WCO Matthew Visosky, whose district includes the Central Erie County district in the Northwest Region. In 2023, WCO Visosky's exemplary law enforcement efforts included 36 days of onboard boat patrols, 480 boardings, the issuing of 166 citations, and the investigation of 16 incidents. Additionally, WCO Visosky participated in 24 public educational events in his district. Visosky is a 2002 graduate of the PFBC's H.R. Stackhouse School of Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety.
The Gerald L. Greiner Environmental Protection Award was presented to Justin Boatwright, who was the WCO in the Clinton/W. Lycoming County district before recently being promoted to Sergeant in the Northcentral Region. This award is presented annually to the WCO who best exemplifies the ideals of 'Resource First' – the protection, conservation, and enhancement of the Commonwealth's aquatic resources. In 2023, Boatwright investigated seven environmental incidents within his region. Boatwright is a 2016 graduate of the PFBC's H.R. Stackhouse School of Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety.
The Top Gun Award was presented to WCO Kyle Robinson, whose district includes Mifflin and northern Huntingdon counties in the Southcentral Region. This award is presented annually to a WCO who displays outstanding effort in the detection and apprehension of impaired boaters. In 2023, WCO Robinson's exemplary law enforcement efforts included 41 days of onboard boat patrols, the investigation of five boating accidents, 838 boardings, the issuing of 637 warnings, 117 citations, and seven arrests for Boating Under the Influence. Robinson is a 2020 graduate of the PFBC's H.R. Stackhouse School of Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety.
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Butch Potts Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award (Pennsylvania) was presented to WCO Michael Blair, whose district includes southern Bucks County in the Southeast Region. In 2023 WCO Blair's exemplary law enforcement efforts included 31 days of onboard boat patrols, the investigation of three boating accidents, 320 boardings, the issuing of 180 citations, and two arrests for Boating Under the Influence. Blair is a 2016 graduate of the PFBC's H.R. Stackhouse School of Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety.
A Lifesaving Award was presented to WCO Logan Opfer, whose district includes western Armstrong County. While patrolling the Allegheny River on March 5, 2024, WCO Opfer received a call from the Kittanning Borough Police Department to request Opfer's assistance with a dog attack incident which had occurred nearby. Upon arriving at the scene, WCO Opfer and two local police officers found a male victim bleeding severely from his arm, which required immediate medical attention. WCO Opfer acted quickly to apply first aid to the victim's arm, which stopped the bleeding until emergency medical personnel arrived to transport the victim to the hospital for immediate surgery. WCO Opfer's quick thinking and training is credited with saving the victim's life. Opfer is a 2022 graduate of the PFBC's H.R. Stackhouse School of Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety.
(All photos courtesy PFBC. Left to Right – PFBC Executive Director Tim Schaeffer, Col. Clyde Warner, WCO Matthew Visosky, PFBC President William Gibney)
INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS
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Media Contact:
Mike Parker
Communications Director
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
(717) 585-3076
michparker@pa.gov