NASBLA names the 2023 Regional Boating Officers of the Year
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 20, 2023) – The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is excited to announce this year’s regional winners of the Butch Potts Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award. This award symbolizes the highest level of achievement among boating law enforcement officers throughout the United States.
The selection process for this award began in January with NASBLA soliciting nominations from each state and territory to nominate their boating law enforcement officer of the year. Next, each regional association of boating law administrators chose one regional award recipient, making that officer eligible for consideration for the national award. The national award recipient will be announced at the 64th Annual NASBLA Conference during the awards ceremony held in Denver, Colorado.
Conservation Officer Jarred Coffing, of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources – Law Enforcement Division, has been named the 2023 Northern Region Officer of the Year. Since day one of his service, Officer Coffing has displayed a steadfast passion for boating law enforcement, extending his vigilant patrols on our waterways throughout all four seasons of the year. His primary focus has consistently been to remove impaired operators from the water, striving to effectively reduce the number of impaired and reckless individuals endangering themselves and others. During the 2022 boating season, Officer Coffing arrested five impaired boat operators for boating while intoxicated. Officer Coffing's dedication extends beyond law enforcement as he invested 272 hours in instructing various boating-related courses. He assisted in instructing a NASBLA Basic Crew Member course at Lake Monroe, consistently demonstrating his thoroughness in educating both new and seasoned boat operators. Officer Coffing's unwavering commitment to enhancing the safety of Indiana waterways is commendable. Read more about Conservation Officer Jarred Coffing’s achievements throughout his career.
The 2023 Southern Region Officer of the Year is Lieutenant Jason Russo with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). With an impressive 21-year career in a coastal district, Lieutenant Russo has demonstrated continuous dedication to enforcing boating safety laws and educating the public. As a seasoned boating safety instructor for over 18 years, Lt. Russo continuously exhibits a genuine passion for educating individuals on safe boating practices. His extensive training includes successful completion of the FLETC Marine Patrol Officer's course, FLETC Marine Law Enforcement Training Program, NASBLA's Level I Boating Incident Investigation (BII) course, NASBLA's Level II BII Reconstruction course, and he serves as an instructor for NASBLA’s Level I BII course and it’s Officer Water Survival course. Lt. Russo's exceptional leadership and mentorship have played a vital role in cultivating a team of dedicated professionals who share his commitment to ensuring the safety of the boating public. Find out more about Lieutenant Jason Russo in the full press release.
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Deputy Charles Trescher, of the Mohave County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), has been named the 2023 Western Region Officer of the Year. Deputy Trescher has been part of the Mohave County Sheriff's Office Division of Boating Safety and the Dive Rescue and Recovery Team since 2020. He serves the boating communities of Lake Havasu, Lake Mead, and the Colorado River, some of the busiest inland bodies of water in the nation. Deputy Trescher's extensive qualifications include serving as a Patrol Boat Operator, a Rescue Diver, and a Dive Team Leader, among other certifications. His wealth of knowledge and expertise make him a trusted source of guidance and advice for fellow deputies within the Division. In addition to his exemplary work within the department, Deputy Trescher actively participates in community events, using every opportunity to educate the public about boating and water safety. He demonstrates a positive and communicative approach during his daily patrols, fostering a culture of safety and awareness among the boating public. Learn more about Deputy Charles Trescher’s accomplishments.
These law enforcement officers have made significant contributions to enhance the safety of recreational boaters in their respective states' waterways. Their continuous dedication and commitment to boating safety has not only benefited the recreational boating community but has also influenced their fellow officers within the law enforcement community. NASBLA is proud to have selected these three officers as the regional recipients of the 2023 Officer of the Year Award, representing the entire nation.
All three regional award winners are invited to this year’s NASBLA Annual Conference. This year’s conference will take place from Sept. 19 - 22, 2023, in Denver, Colorado. Regional awards will be presented at the awards luncheon during the conference. Additionally, the national Boating Officer of the Year award winner will be announced at the banquet scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 21. Find out more about the regional winners of the 2023 Officer of the Year award.
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First presented in 2000, the Marvin “Butch” Potts Memorial Award, known as the Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, is presented annually to the boating law enforcement officer who has made outstanding contributions to the field of boating law enforcement. The award program consists of three levels: state, regional and national.
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is a national nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories. We offer a variety of resources, including training, model acts, education standards, publications and more. Through a national network of thousands of professional educators, law enforcement officers and volunteers, we affect the lives of nearly 85 million American boaters.