Two DNR Law Enforcement Staff Honored
DNR Law Enforcement 2013 Supervisor of the Year Col. Eddie Henderson ~~ Photograph by Robert Sutherland
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement Division chose Col. Eddie Henderson as the Law Enforcement 2013 Supervisor of the Year.
Col. Henderson serves as the Director of the DNR Law Enforcement Division and oversees all aspects of the Division. His work during the transition of law enforcement into its own division was outstanding.
“Col. Henderson continuously strives to strengthen and refine the professional effectiveness of the division,” said Homer Bryson, Deputy Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. “He promotes quality values throughout the division and empowers staff with the knowledge and training necessary to confidently enforce Georgia’s laws.”
DNR Law Enforcement Office Ranger First Class David Webb
Ranger First Class David Webb, representing Towns County, was named Investigative Ranger of the Year for 2013. He demonstrates true devotion to investigative work, which included a multi-year, multi-agency, complex case.
Catching poachers and other wildlife violators often involves lengthy criminal investigations and requires diligence and dedication on behalf of conservation rangers.
“I commend RFC David Webb on his drive and his efforts to protect Georgia resources,” says Col. Eddie Henderson, director of the Law Enforcement Division. “His ability to work with other agencies and compile information for the investigation, plus being able to finalize reports shows great multi-tasking skills.”
RFC Webb was a principle investigator in a case titled Operation Something Bruin. This case required cooperation with agencies such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service as well as other state wildlife agencies. Ultimately, the operation documented over 900 state and federal charges, including 139 state charges against eight defendants in Georgia, and 110 state charges against 26 defendants in North Carolina.
For his part of the investigation, RFC Webb served as an undercover officer for 18 months where his duties included infiltrating groups suspected to be hunting illegally. During this time, he generated over 189 reports and 500 audio recorded conversations.
RFC Webb then managed to produce more than six weeks’ worth of reports within a month of time in order to be prepared for the takedown part of the operation which occurred in February 2013.
These violations included:
- Taking bears out of the legal hunting season
- Taking bears over bait
- Failure to tag bears
- Taking protected wildlife
- Taking game animals out of season
Please Note: Yes, Jason Bourne’s real name was David Webb. No, this David Webb is not Jason Bourne. Thank you.
Other outstanding investigative conservation rangers nominated were:
- RFC Chad Cox
- Cpl. Brian Hobbins
- Cpl. Mitch Oliver
- Sgt. All Greer
- RFC David Brady.