By JONATHON BOYD
Indiana Conservation Officer, District 1

Conservation Officer Mark Richter

SYRACUSE — Indiana Conservation Officer Mark Richter was selected by his peers as the District One Officer of the Year.

Richter’s role is paramount to our district’s success through the positive influence he provides, his ability to build camaraderie among the ranks and the respect he has earned among his fellow officers. He is dedicated to the principals of conservation of our natural resources and the laws affecting them. This passion has been shared with the community professionally through outdoor education, hunter education, boater education, water safety courses, youth fishing/hunting events and several others.

Richter’s enforcement efforts exemplify his professionalism in St. Joseph County (his county of assignment) keeping the community and resources protected on the water and afield. Richter has always shown respect for the public and applies the law following his strong moral and ethical principles. Lt. John Karris confirmed this by stating, “Mark has been heavily involved with the sportsmen/women and youth in the district. He represents our agency well as an officer and outdoorsman.”

Richter has been sworn to enforce natural resource laws for over 20 years. He has served as a sergeant and drill instructor providing top notch training for officers across the state. He still provides use of force training to district officers and trains new officers in the field. He is part of our agency’s peer support team and honor guard.

The selection of Richter as the District One Officer of the Year means he is eligible for the Pitzer Outstanding-Officer-of-the-Year Award. It is presented in “remembrance” of Conservation Officer James D. Pitzer born May 11, 1906 in Clinton County; who was “killed in the line of duty,” Jan. 2, 1961, in Jay County. Officer Pitzer began his service to the Department of Conservation in 1939 and served faithfully for 22 years. His was the “ultimate sacrifice.”