Ranger Fred Hays ~ 2014 DNR Law Enforcement Investigative Ranger of the Year

Ranger First Class Fred Hays was named DNR Law Enforcement’s Investigative Ranger of the Year for 2014 by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division. Ranger Fred Hays is assigned to Jasper County.

To catch poachers and other wildlife violators, Rangers require diligence, dedication all the way through lengthy criminal investigations.  Ranger Fred Hays does that and more.

“It requires great multi-tasking skills, patience and perseverance for an officer to take on a time-consuming and extensive investigation while continuing their regularly assigned duties,” said DNR Law Enforcement Director Colonel Eddie Henderson. “I am very proud of RFC Hays and commend each of the nominees for their drive and efforts to apprehend those violators whom adversely affect our natural resources.”

During 2014, RFC Hays received information concerning individuals who had killed a buck deer at night in September.  With very limited information other than verbal complaints and knowledge of the suspect’s appearance, Hays started an investigation. With determination and keen investigative skills, he was able to locate and charge three subjects with numerous hunting violations.

Additionally, he seized the cape, antlers and head of an illegally killed deer and was also able to get one of the subjects to confess to killing an additional deer at night earlier in the year.

Five other Rangers from across the state were also nominated for Investigative Ranger of the Year. They are CPL Casey Jones – Region I (northwest GA), CPL Eric Sanders – Region II (northeast GA), CPL Michael Crawley – Region III (east central GA), RFC Tony Cox – Region V (southwest GA), and CPL Chase Altman – Region VI (south central GA).

“I congratulate RFC Hays on this award and I greatly appreciate all of our Rangers’ contributions to conservation law enforcement and generally keeping the citizens of Georgia safe, educated and compliant with the laws that will conserve our natural resources for generations to come.” said DNR Commissioner Mark Williams.

The Georgia Chapter of the Safari Club International sponsors the DNR Law Enforcement Investigative Ranger of the Year.

For more information about the organization, visit www.gasci.org.