Conservation Officer Jordan Boggs recently graduated from nearly a year of training. A native of Warsaw, he’s been assigned to District 1, which includes Kosciusko County.

WARSAW — “When I was a kid, I went to Camp Mollenhour, my dad sent me there,” said Conservation Officer Jordan Boggs. He was 9-years-old at the time and his dad told him being an conservation officer was a wonderful job. He wished he had pursued it.
“It was a long process, but I wouldn’t change it,” Boggs said. He recently completed nearly a year of training including weeks training on core values, attending the police academy then an additional nine weeks on conservation officer training before entering field training.
Boggs, a Warsaw native, has been assigned to District 1 covering Fulton, Marshall, Elkhart, St. Joseph, Miami, and Kosciusko counties. “Our summer is dedicated to lake patrol and patrolling state parks,” he said, explaining most people have been happy to see him. “Most of the time when I meet someone, I try to work with them.”
For a conservation officer, every day is different and the job varies with the seasons. Boating season starts a few weeks before Memorial Day. “Most weekends you work because that’s your busy time,” he explained.
When out on boat patrol, Boggs meets with sports fishermen as well as pleasure boaters. “When I’m out there, I’m finding new fishing spots,” he said explaining he enjoys meeting people and sharing fishing tips with sportsmen. “The job is very, very varied, but we’re happy to have a conversation with someone,” he said.
Boggs is based in Kosciusko County along with three other officers, but if someone has a day off, he can float into the other counties. He explained he’s expected to know his home county but also how to get around the others as well. “With an ATV accident, I may be the first one there,” he said.
Boggs enjoys hunting and fishing. “I have a passion for fishing,” he said. His grandfather would float the river as well as his dad. Boggs got into muskie fishing at a young age and is hoping to catch one that is 50 inches. “My record is 46 inches,” he said.
During hunting season, he bow hunts because he likes the challenge. The animal has to be much closer to be successful. “They have to be close and you can watch their behaviors,” he said. “You also see crazy things.” Some things he’s seen from his tree stand include a deer bedding down below him, a coyote tracking a deer right past him and a mink with a rabbit.
When he’s not on patrol, Boggs and his wife, Tierney, are doing some reservations on their house. She works in public relations and marketing.
The two met at Ball State, where Boggs earned a degree in wildlife biology and conservation. “I get a lot of questions from kids who ask ‘What do I need to do to do what you do,’” To be a conservation officer, a candidate needs at least a two-year degree.
One of his classes was on ornithology, the study of birds. At the time, Boggs wasn’t sure he’s like the class, but found it fascinating.