Boating Officer of the Year

Northern Region
Conservation Officer Shawn Wichmann
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Conservation Officer Shawn Wichmann of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources was selected as the 2026 Northern Region Officer of the Year for his leadership in boating safety enforcement, impaired boating prevention and public outreach. Since joining the Minnesota DNR in 2012, Wichmann has become known for his proactive enforcement efforts and strong commitment to engaging the boating community. In addition to his patrol responsibilities, he serves as a NASBLA-certified instructor, mentors new conservation officers and works closely with local, state and federal partners to promote safe boating practices throughout southwest Minnesota. Read the full press release.

Southern Region

Adam KimbroughGame Warden First Class Adam Kimbrough
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division
Game Warden First Class Adam Kimbrough of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division was named the 2026 Southern Region Officer of the Year for his commitment to boating safety on Georgia’s waterways. Assigned to the Lake Lanier area, Kimbrough has logged hundreds of hours conducting boating safety patrols, vessel inspections and impaired boating enforcement operations. He has also played a key role in Operation Dry Water efforts and remains deeply involved in officer mentorship, public education and outreach initiatives that encourage safe and responsible boating. Read the full press release.

Western Region

Sgt. Travis Vessells
Sergeant Travis Vessells
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Marine Enforcement Unit
Sergeant Travis Vessells of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Marine Enforcement Unit was recognized as the 2026 Western Region Officer of the Year for his contributions to marine law enforcement, boating safety and officer training. As supervisor of the Marine Enforcement Unit, Vessells oversees enforcement and search-and-rescue operations along the Colorado River system and Lake Havasu. Beyond his operational responsibilities, he is a respected instructor who helps train marine officers across California and fosters collaboration among local, state and federal agencies. Read the full press release here.

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.

2026 State Boating Officers of the Year

Northern Region


Matthew Burns, Connecticut

Michael Lano, Delaware

Andrew Gott, Illinois

Erick Bolt, Indiana

Lynn Koch, Iowa

Callahan Crosby, Maine

Shawn Wichmann, Minnesota

Matthew Brandt, Nebraska

Anthony Buru, New Jersey

Jerad Bluem, North Dakota

Luke Walter, Pennsylvania

Robert Murtha, Rhode Island

Brad Latza, Wisconsin


Southern Region


Lyndle Crownover, Arkansas

Adam Kimbrough, Georgia

Tyler Willen, Kentucky

Michael Hebert, Louisiana

Amy May, Mississippi

Jacob Pattison, North Carolina

Cameron Smith, South Carolina

Jonathan Mark, Tennessee

Tyler Zaruba, Texas

Brian "Tyler" Dagliano, Virginia

Robert M. Rakes II, West Virginia

 

Western Region


Alexander Gutierrez, Arizona

Bob Szmurlo, California

Travis Vessells, California

Karsen Krier, Colorado

Derrick Wilkinson, Idaho

Justin Counts, Kansas

Roy Sparks, Nevada


(Those in bold text are the regional boating officers of the year.)

 

Previous Recipients