GUY BRADLEY AWARD

The  Guy Bradley Award, presented annually, recognizes individuals for achievements in wildlife law enforcement.  As of 2024, this award is presented in partnership with the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  

SUMMARY

In 1905, Guy Bradley, a Florida game warden, became the first wildlife law enforcement agent killed while performing his duties to protect the nation’s wildlife. Law enforcement agents like Bradley are essential to virtually every aspect of wildlife conservation, from recovering endangered species to managing waterfowl and big game resources.

In honor of Guy Bradley, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) established a national award in 1988 to recognize individuals for achievements in wildlife law enforcement. The award focuses on activities which directly aid or advance the law enforcement goals and mission of state and federal fish and wildlife agencies. It is an opportunity to recognize those officers who put their life on the line for wildlife during their careers.

Each year, a number of awards are presented to worthy recipients by a variety of agencies and organizations. The Guys Bradley Award, however, seeks to recognize extraordinary individuals who have made an outstanding lifetime contribution to wildlife law enforcement, wildlife forensics or investigative techniques. The award is presented to one state and one federal recipient each year.

Nominations

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is NOW accepting nominations for Guy Bradley Award.  Nominations due by Friday, July 11, 2025, by 11:59pm Eastern Time

Past Award Recipients

The following individuals have been recognized for their exceptional achievements in wildlife law enforcement:

2024

• Michael M. Weathers (Alabama DCNR, Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries)
• Edward J. Grace (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)

2023

• Wade Hovinga (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
• Justin Edward Mays (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2022

• Dorothy "Dede" Manera (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
• Kandy Klosterman (Ohio Department of Natural Resources)

2021

• Captain Stan Elrod (Georgia Department of Natural Resources)​​ 
• Timothy Santel (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2020

• Sergeant Daniel C. Hall (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries)
• Tom Chisdock (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) 

2019

• ​Lieutenant Karl P. Martin ​(Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries)
• James R. Gale (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2018

• Col. Eddie He​nderson​ (Georgia Department of Natural Resources)​​ 
• Nicholas Chavez (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2017

• W. Todd Kennedy (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission)​​​​​​
• Gary Young (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2016

• Blake Phillips (Idaho Fish and Game)
• Steven Furrer (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2015

• John Baker (California Department of Fish and Wildlife)​​​​​​​
• ​​​​​​​Darwin Huggins (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2014

• Tim Fagan (Wyoming Game and Fish Department)​​​​​​​
• ​​​​​​​Leo Suazo II (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2013

• John M. Hutchens (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries)​​​​​​​
• ​​​​​​​Kash Schriefer (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2012

• Bill Hebner (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)
• Dan Burleson (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2011

• Mark Prodzinski (Oregon State Police)
• ​​​​​​​Benito A. Perez (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2010

• Michael L. Borkovich (Michigan DNR)
• ​​​​​​​Steven D. Middleton (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2009

• Alan G. Cain (Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
• ​​​​​​​George Morrison (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2008

• Karen Rudolph (Idaho Department of Fish and Game)
• ​​​​​​​Christopher Dowd (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2007

• John Myszka (Maryland Department of Natural Resources)
• Kevin R. Adams (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2006

• Bruce Buckson (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
• ​​​​​​​Jack Baker (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2005

• Paul Hoover (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
• Edward Domingez (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2004

• Mark DiSalvo (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)
• ​​​​​​​Scott Pearson (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2003

• Frank Kuncir (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2002

• Bruce Lemmert (Virginia Game and Inland Fish Dept)
• Dr. Ed Espinoza (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2001

• Rick Leach (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

2000

• Charles Beatty (Alaska Department of Public Safety)
• Doug Goessman (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

1999

• Joseph Oliveros (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

1998

• Granville Ross (Virginia Game and Inland Fish Dept)
• Robert C. Lee (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

1997

• Vernon Ricker (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

1996

• David Klabak (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)

1995

• John Cooper (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
• PacifiCorp

1994

• Ken Goddard (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

1993

• Tom Moore (Wyoming Game and Fish)
• Richard Moulton (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

1992

• Ronald Lahners (U.S. District Attorney in Nebraska)

1991

• Robert Brantley (Florida Game and Freshwater Fish)
• Dave Hall (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

1990

• Rex Corsi (Wyoming Game and Fish)
• Ben Moise (South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources)

1989

• Terry Grosz (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

1988

• Granville Ross (Virginia Game and Inland Fish Department)