DNR Announces Annual Warden, Staff Awards For Public Safety, Resource Protection

MADISON, Wis. –  The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the 2023 award recipients from the Division of Public Safety and Resource Protection in honor of exemplary public service.

“The recipients are walking examples to the public that the DNR is dedicated to its core mission of protecting our natural resources and those who use them," said DNR Chief Warden Casey Krueger.

The division’s management team selected the recipients from nominations submitted by peers.

Harold D. Hettrick Investigative Excellence Award – Warden William Hankee

• Warden William Hankee used his investigative expertise to determine the causes of wildland fires and collect evidence to solve a 20-year serial arsonist case involving past fires on private and public lands in Washington and Fond du Lac counties. Other DNR wardens, DNR foresters and the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation. Hankee serves with the Washington, Fond du Lac and Manitowoc Warden Team.

Torch Award – Warden Adam Strehlow

• The Torch Award was developed by the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officer Association to recognize outstanding service by wardens in their first five years of service. Warden Adam Strehlow distinguished himself in his first four years as a genuine standout in the mission to protect resources and the public and to make a positive difference in the community. Strehlow, a member of the DNR Marine Warden Team based in the Milwaukee area, excels at community relations and stands ready to help in numerous areas, including wildlife cases and investigative work.

Wisconsin Hunter Education/R3 Professional – Kayla Sasse

• Kayla Sasse was a DNR customer service representative before becoming a DNR outdoor skills trainer for the Northeast Region in 2022. Based in Green Bay, Sasse coordinated 36 workshops, academies, exams, appreciation events and a town hall in 2023. She also worked with her outdoor skills colleagues to initiate a virtual recertification workshop for safety program instructors. Sasse is a strong team player and has also supported the archery education program in schools.

 Division Excellence Award – Charlie Nettesheim

• IT Coordinator Charlie Nettesheim is the division's go-to professional for IT questions and technological problems. Known for his tireless positive attitude, Nettesheim is skilled at making effective, timely and professional decisions, whether working on a large project or helping set up a phone for a new employee. He strives to help every person understand the problem and listens to their view.

Mississippi Flyway Waterfowl Protection Officer – Warden Zachary Seitz

• The Wisconsin Conservation Congress Migratory Committee has selected Warden Zachary Seitz as their Waterfowl Officer of the Year. Seitz has been a warden for six years and serves as the field warden for northern Outagamie County. He is responsible for enforcing fish/game, recreational vehicles, state lands and environmental laws in his service area. An avid waterfowl hunter, Seitz is passionate about protecting waterfowl and its habitat. He routinely puts in long hours conducting patrols and investigating complaints.

Wisconsin Bow Hunters Association Warden – Warden Nicholas King

• The Wisconsin Bow Hunting Association’s Warden of the Year is Warden Nicholas King, known for his proactive patrols and ready response to calls for service. King has remarkable community involvement and outstanding education programs in his station. He takes the time to educate on the importance of a law when a violation is related to safety. For example, King stopped a UTV for violations, including a youth not wearing a helmet as required. The UTV operator was upset about the citation. Weeks later, that same UTV was involved in a severe accident, and the youth, this time, wore the helmet. The same operator thanked King for the prior citation and education.

Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Warden Of The Year – Warden Brad Dahlquist

• A citizen cited for deer violations contacted the supervisor of Warden Brad Dahlquist and described him as firm, fair and respectful, which is high praise from a citation holder. This demonstrates why Dahlquist is the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation’s Warden of the Year. Assigned to Langlade County, Dahlquist is active in nearly all division areas – from training to teaming with other federal and local agencies on investigations. Highly responsive to calls for service any hour of the day, Dahlquist’s selflessness, community policing model and passion for the resources and the people who rely on them is well known and highly regarded.

Shikar Safari International Wildlife Officer Award – Lt. Chris Shea

• Lt. Chris Shea keeps customer service high on his daily to-do list as he leads the Lake Winnebago Warden Team. Shea provides prompt service when investigating complaints and concerns about fish and game, boats, ATV/UTVs, snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles, trapping and environmental laws. Shea’s daily outstanding leadership and performances are why he is the Shikar-Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of 2023. His team also serves High Cliff State Park, and he leads warden patrols for the annual sturgeon spearing fishing and other topics, often including partner agency collaboration.

Off-Highway Vehicle Officer Of The Year – Warden Adam Hanna

• Since his hire in 2008, Warden Adam Hanna has displayed a high degree of passion for protecting and enhancing our natural resources and those who enjoy them. Hanna has several key strengths woven into his program for Clark County. One of his greatest is his passion for off-highway vehicle enforcement. Clark County continues to be a destination for ATV/UTVs, off-highway motorcycles and snowmobilers nationwide. With the county’s extensive scope of trails, road routes and campgrounds, Hanna consistently engages with operators. Hanna specializes in working with the public to ensure everyone goes home safely.

Boating Officer of the Year – Marine Warden Jordan Resop

• Marine Warden Jordan Resop has worked in law enforcement since 2015 and has been a DNR warden and member of the Marine Warden Team since 2017. He is assigned coverage of Lake Michigan and tributaries, but he also assists with land responsibilities. Resop manages a year-round busy station and is a top-notch boat operator. He is also a highly sought-after trainer with remarkable community involvement and customer service. Safety is important to Resop, and he is working with a local municipality to implement three loaner life jacket kiosks.

Wisconsin National Wild Turkey Federation Officer – Warden Kurt Haas

• Warden Kurt Haas was hired in 2012 as a DNR conservation warden, first stationed in ­­­­­­­­­­­­­Black River Falls and now in Taylor County. Haas has developed a tremendous skill set conducting fish and wildlife investigations that have led to actions to protect natural resources for future generations. Haas works to share his expertise through academy and field training of newly hired wardens. He also assists the Taylor County Sportsman’s Club with their Learn to Turkey Hunt program and helps novice turkey hunters each spring.

Steven Sisbach Environmental Achievement Award – Andrea Gruen, Heidi Schmitt Marquez, Holly Stegemann And Emily Ertel

• Outstanding teamwork by Environmental Enforcement‘s Andrea Gruen, Wastewater Program Supervisor Heidi Schmitt Marquez, Wastewater Specialist Holly Stegemann and Assistant Attorney General Emily Ertel of the Wisconsin Department of Justice lead the group to receive the 2023 Steven Sisbach Environmental Achievement Award. This team worked together on the Ledgeview Farms LLC case opened on Nov. 29, 2017. The case was referred to the Department of Justice on Nov. 20, 2019, settled on Feb. 28, 2023, and a satisfactory judgment closed the case on Sept. 19, 2023.