Shown in uniform, from left, are Officer Jon Boyd and Officer Dustin Whitehead, who received National recognition from National Association of Boating Law Administrators for their courageous rescue of seven people involved in a boating incident this past summer. Not pictured is Lake Patrol Officer, Ken Troutman. (Photo provided)

By JONATHON BOYD
Indiana Conservation Officer, DNR Law Enforcement District 1

SYRACUSE — Indiana Conservation Officers Jonathon Boyd and Dustin Whitehead, along with Kosciusko Lake Patrol Officer Ken Troutman, received national recognition from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators for their courageous rescue of seven boaters on Lake Wawasee this summer.

On July 25, ICO Boyd and Whitehead responded to calls for help from LPO Troutman to assist with a sinking boat. Only one of the seven was wearing a lifejacket. The officers rescued everyone from the water within minutes. If it weren’t for the actions of these officers this incident could have ended tragically.

Indiana Conservation Officers executive staff presented the officers with the commendations and gave them a standing ovation in Indianapolis. IDNR Law Enforcement Director Danny East said he was very proud of these officers.