Indiana Conservation Officer Jon Cook Named District One Officer Of The Year
Posted
Staff Report-
SYRACUSE – Indiana Conservation Officers of Operational District One, which serves the north central part of the state, congratulate officer Jon Cook for receiving the 2013 district officer of the year award as voted on by his peers. Operational district one serves the counties of St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall, Kosciusko, Fulton, Miami and Wabash. Cook is assigned currently to Fulton County after a recent voluntary transfer from Kosciusko County. Cook is thereby eligible to receive the ultimate award, which can be bestowed upon an Indiana conservation officer by the Law Enforcement Division, which is the state Pitzer officer of the year award. This is Cook’s second time receiving the district one officer of the year award. He began his career in 2006 and has demonstrated a high level of dedication to serving the citizens of Indiana in a professional and courteous manner. Cook has been active in countless community activities in 2013. Cook certified nearly 400 students in 2013 in hunter and boater education classes. He also was camp director of the Camp Mollenhour Conservation Camp, instructed National Archery in the Schools Program, assisted with the Warsaw urban zone deer reduction hunts by instructing the hunters on safety and ethics, and was selected as the 2013 district one hunter education instructor of the year by his supervisors. Cook is also a defensive tactics instructor and passenger boat for-hire inspector. Lt. John Karris said,“Officer Cook’s efforts toward professional law enforcement and community support activities exemplify the qualities of an outstanding state conservation officer. Jon understands the efforts, we as officers, put toward these qualities to build quality and lasting relationships with sportsmen and women and civic based organizations. Through these efforts Jon has become a very well known officer in his community garnering accolades from civic groups and enforcement agencies.” Cook said, “I feel our job is a tool to emphasize, teach, encourage and protect moral and ethical values toward our natural resources. We are the leaders of today. We are in the driver’s seat to make change in a positive way.”
