Ohio wildlife wardens, K-9 get recognition from officer group

Columbus — Ohio wildlife officers with the Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Wildlife were recently recognized with prestigious awards from the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association.

Wildlife investigator Kirk Kiefer was named the 2025 Officer of the Year, and State Wildlife Officer Jason Keller, assigned to Warren County, and his partner, K-9 Officer Scout, were recipients of the Loyal Partner Award.

The North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association (NAWEOA) is an international collaboration of wildlife conservation officers focused on promoting professionalism and excellence through training, networking, and professional recognition. Each year, the organization recognizes the top officers from state, province, territory, or federal wildlife enforcement agencies.

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Kiefer is the first Ohio wildlife officer to receive the NAWEOA Officer of the Year award. He was selected for his competence, knowledge, and capabilities in the field and promotion of wildlife law enforcement. Kiefer has served Ohio for 22 years as a wildlife officer and investigator. He also works as a field training officer, sharing his expertise on hunting incident investigations, waterfowl enforcement, ginseng enforcement, and trapping enforcement.

State wildlife officer Jason Keller and K-9 officer Scout demonstrated exceptional ability and initiative in the performance of their duties, which led to them receiving the Loyal Partner Award. This is the second time an Ohio wildlife officer and K-9 officer earned the Loyal Partner Award. State wildlife officer Chris Gilkey, assigned to Meigs County, and K-9 officer Mattis were honored in 2023. Officer Keller has served as an Ohio wildlife officer for 16 years, beginning his career in Lake County before transferring to Warren County. Officer Keller and K-9 officer Scout have worked together since 2018, and both work on the Division of Wildlife’s Search, Rescue, and Tracking Team.

Ohio wildlife officers have statewide authority to enforce wildlife regulations and protect state lands, waterways, and property. As state law enforcement officers, they contribute to public safety in their local areas and Ohio’s great outdoors. They also speak to hundreds of clubs and groups about conservation and wildlife programs, perform fish and wildlife surveys, and provide technical advice and instruction about wildlife management issues, hunting, fishing, and other outdoor related recreation.