Minnesota DNR Enforcement names annual division award winners

St. Paul — In recognition of his outstanding overall career performance, the DNR Enforcement Division named Conservation Officer Patrick McGowan the 2025 Conservation Officer of the Year. McGowan and four other conservation officers received awards last week during a ceremony at Camp Ripley.

McGowan began work for the DNR in 2003 as a watercraft inspector, then worked as a police officer in Maple Grove before rejoining the DNR in 2008 as a conservation officer. He currently patrols the Cass Lake station after a stint in Walker. He’s a familiar face on some of the state’s busiest waterways, including Leech Lake, and is known among outdoor recreationists as a thorough and fair conservation officer. McGowan also instructs at the Conservation Officer Academy, is a certified boating instructor, an arson investigator, and a field training officer who works with new conservation officers during their training.

“Pat exemplifies what it means to be a great all-around conservation officer,” said Col. Rodmen Smith, director of the DNR Enforcement Division. “He puts our state’s cherished resources first, ensures our newest officers are fully ready to carry on our proud tradition as conservation officers, and is always willing to prioritize others’ needs ahead of his own.”

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In November 2024, McGowan rescued six young duck hunters on Leech Lake after their boat had overturned just after 5 a.m. He received a lifesaving award for his selfless efforts in that situation and has also been involved in several other rescues of individuals in distress. Prior to that he was recognized with the DNR’s Boat and Water Safety Achievement Award in 2014 and Waterfowl Enforcement Achievement Award in 2015. McGowan also was named the 2025 Minnesota Wildlife Officer of the Year by the Shikar-Safari Club International.

Other Enforcement Division honorees include:

Boat and Water Safety Achievement Award – Conservation Officer Shawn Wichmann

CO Shawn Wichmann, who is stationed in Slayton in southwestern Minnesota, routinely patrols busy lakes and rivers, notably “The Lakes,” which encompasses several lakes and thousands of acres of water that attract anglers and recreational boaters from multiple states.

Wichmann has been a Minnesota conservation officer since 2012. Before that, he served for seven years as a conservation officer for South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. He’s been working out of the Slayton station since 2023 and maintains a strong presence on area waterways, where one of his primary goals is to reduce instances of people boating while intoxicated.

“Whether people are boating recreationally, or fishing and hunting, the waterways in Shawn’s area see extensive pressure,” Smith said. “He does an excellent job of being visible in the area and making sure people are keeping themselves and others safe while they enjoy the water.”

Enforcement Education Achievement Award – Conservation Officer Garrett Thomas

CO Garrett Thomas, who is stationed in Eagan and has been a conservation officer since 2018, has made safety education a top priority throughout his career.

In the past couple of years, the volunteer instructors with whom Thomas works have certified more than 1,100 students in all-terrain vehicle, firearms and snowmobile safety. Thomas has attended dozens of outreach events where he connects with community members and discusses safety, natural resources and other topics. He also trains the DNR’s newest conservation officers as a field training officer.

“Garrett makes safety and education part of his daily routine, whether he’s working with the public or other law enforcement officers,” Smith said. “He has a unique ability to connect education with enforcing our state’s natural resources laws and rules.”

Waterfowl Enforcement Achievement Award – Conservation Officer Luke Gutzwiller

CO Luke Gutzwiller, who is stationed in Montevideo, patrols one of the state’s destination areas for waterfowl and waterfowl hunting.

It includes numerous tracts of public land, perhaps most notably the 24,000-acre Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area. Gutzwiller, a conservation officer since 2015, also spends time connecting with young hunters, including at firearms safety classes, and teaches waterfowl-related enforcement and identification to new COs. Gutzwiller is also a DNR K9 handler, partnering with K9 Earl to help other officers throughout the state.

“The best waterfowl enforcement officers are adaptable and attuned to waterfowl and hunter behavior,” Smith said.

“They also have a commitment to passing along their knowledge and working hard to protect the resources upon which waterfowl rely. Luke excels in all those areas.”

Willard Munger Wetlands Achievement Award – Conservation Officer Troy Fondie

CO Troy Fondie, who is stationed in Orr in northeastern Minnesota, has been a long-time leader in upholding the Wetland Conservation Act and ensuring compliance with Minnesota’s environmental laws. In addition, he works hard to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels, both through enforcement actions and educational approaches that empower boaters to be proactive in stopping the spread of invasive species.

“Troy is highly regarded within the DNR and by other agencies who deal with environmental protection, as well as among the people of his local area who appreciate his diligence in protecting resources now and into the future,” Smith said. “Doing this type of work successfully takes patience, monitoring and constant attention, and Troy has shown over the years that he’s up to the task.”

Other awards

During the awards ceremony, two other DNR Enforcement Division personnel also were recognized for their service and dedication.

CO Anthony Bermel, who is stationed in Babbitt, was named the Turn in Poachers Officer of the Year. Kara Lefebvre, an office and administrative specialist senior in Grand Rapids, received a meritorious service award for her work with the DNR Aviation Unit.