Godfrey resident Zachary French named ‘Officer of the Year’
A Godfrey man has been named “Officer of the Year” by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the state’s Conservation Police.
Zachary French, a conservation police officer (CPO) based in Madison County, was recognized Friday as well as other award winners.
French has served as a CPO since 2012, working a large district that includes counties throughout the metro-east. According to his bio, French is a Homeland Security boat operator for the IDNR, assisting with maintenance and operation of patrol watercraft on the Mississippi River and Carlyle Lake. He assisted with flood emergency rescue and response last winter in the metro-east that included evacuation of residents and rescues of livestock.
French also serves as an IDNR firearms instructor, and is an active member of the Illinois Air National Guard at Scott Air Force Base. IDNR enforcement activity by CPO French last year included more than 560 arrests, citations, field reports and written warnings to violators.
“Conservation Police officers are the best-trained, hardest working law enforcement officers in Illinois,” IDNR Director Wayne Rosenthal said in a press release. “Congratulations to CPO French and all of the award recipients for their exemplary efforts in enhancing the safety of all Illinoisans.”
“Our officers help ensure public safety in our parks and on our waterways, enforce wildlife and fish laws and regulations, as well as traffic, drug and environmental laws, while also being first responders for disaster relief and rescue efforts throughout the state,” IDNR Conservation Police Chief Rafael Gutierrez added. “We are proud this year to present the Officer of the Year honor to CPO Zachary French, whose work ethic and personal drive inspire and help motivate all of us.”
Illinois Conservation Police Officer of the Year award winners are selected based on a variety of factors, including job knowledge, skills and judgment; dedication and professionalism in investigation and follow-through on cases; and, cooperation with other officers, agencies and constituency groups.
Other nominees this year included CPO Steve Beltran of Ogle County, CPO Holly Vadbunker of Kankakee County, CPO Ben Schultz of Vermilion County and CPO Steve Vasicek of Union County.
IDNR Conservation Police also presented other awards to officers for outstanding performance in 2015. The winners are listed:
Medal of Valor
CPO Jason Moody of Moultrie County
CPO Brandon Barnes of Shelby County
CPO Kevin Bettis of Menard County
Awards of Merit
CPO Troy Williams of Franklin County
CPO Audrey Jones of Carroll County
CPO Phil Wire of LaSalle County
Certificates of Merit:
CPO Dave Holland of Marion County
CPO Brandon Barnes of Shelby County
CPO Eric Schreiber of McHenry County
CPO Tom Davis of McHenry County
Capt. Laura Petreikis of Rock Island County
CPO Joe Cochran of Christian County
CPOT Brian Tanke of Sangamon County
CPO Jarrod Elliott of Mason County
CPOT Seth Thornley of Cass County
CPO Charles Diggins of Saline County
CPO Aaron Jansen of LaSalle County
This story was originally published April 18, 2016 at 6:32 PM with the headline "Godfrey resident Zachary French named ‘Officer of the Year’."