FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A Conservation Officer serving Vigo County has been named his district’s Conservation Officer of the Year.
According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Max Winchell is the 2023 District 5 Officer of the Year. District 5 serves Clay, Greene, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo counties.
Winchell has worked as a conservation officer for almost 30 years, having begun in the role in 1995. In addition to his regular duties, Winchell also serves as a scuba instructor, dive master, sonar operator, background investigator, field training officer, and division spokesperson.
By being recognized for this honor, Winchell is now also entered into the running for statewide Conservation Officer of the Year, otherwise known as the Pitzer Award.
“The Pitzer Award is named after Indiana Conservation Officer James D. Pitzer, who was fatally shot while investigating illegal hunting activity on Jan. 2, 1961, in Jay County,” A DNR news release reads.
