IDNR recognizes Illinois Conservation Police Officer of the Year

Office of Law Enforcement honors officers, civilians for efforts in 2024-2025

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) recognized numerous conservation police officers and civilians for acts of bravery, compassion and distinguished service to the people of Illinois.

"I'm incredibly proud of the work of our conservation police, from their efforts to save lives and protect the wildlife of Illinois to making strong connections in their local communities," IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie said. "It's also our honor to recognize the contributions of valued support staff and citizen heroes of this state."

"One of IDNR's greatest strengths are our conservation police and our support staff. I am proud and honored to work alongside them," said IDNR Office of Law Enforcement Director Jed Whitchurch. "Public outreach, excellence in performance, attitude, teamwork, innovation and leadership are values embodied by this year's honorees. Thank you to those who have answered the call to protect the public and our state's natural resources to the best of their ability."

IDNR presented individuals with awards in multiple categories, including the Officer of the Year, Purple Heart, Civilian Hero, Boating Officer of the Year, and Merit awards.

Officer of the Year

Conservation Police Officer Austin Priest was named IDNR's Officer of the Year for demonstrating unparalleled excellence through relentless enforcement of conservation laws, impactful public outreach efforts, and interagency collaboration. He conducted more than 50 major investigations, including high-profile timber fraud, federal waterfowl baiting and wildlife poaching cases, resulting in multiple felony arrests and federal indictments. He is assigned to Pike County.

Purple Heart

Conservation Police Officer Brianna Kampmeier, assigned to Rock Island County, was awarded the department's Purple Heart for her heroic actions during an incident at Hennepin Canal State Park in Bureau County.

Kampmeier encountered an angler violating state fishing laws and learned he was wanted on an arrest warrant. When she attempted to take him into custody, he pulled way and struck her in the head twice before slamming her onto rocks, causing her to temporarily lose consciousness. The man tried to remove her firearm, and during the scuffle a nearby fisherman intervened, tackling the man and providing Kampmeier with enough time to get up and detain him until backup arrived. Kampmeier suffered a concussion from the incident. The man eventually was sentenced on felony charges.

Civilian Hero Award

Jeffrey Holt, site technician at Rock Cut State Park in Winnebago County, received the department's Civilian Hero Award. In February, Holt was alerted by a patron at the park that someone had fallen through the ice. Without hesitation, he drove straight to the victim's location, jumped into the water and was able to get the victim safely to shore, possibly saving the man's life.

Jeff Lane Boating Officer of the Year Award

IDNR's Boating Officer of the Year award recognizes outstanding service by recreational boating law enforcement officers. The award is named in honor of Jeffrey D. Lane, a conservation police officer who continued to work for the department in other capacities following a diagnosis of ALS.

Earning the award this year was Conservation Police Officer Dustin Wolf, assigned to Clark County, who worked 441 hours of recreational boating enforcement in 2024, including more than 15 boat patrols, 237 boat registration safety inspections, four vessel registration investigations, 20 boat citations, and six operating under the influence arrests. He is also a sonar operator and has assisted with recovering numerous drowning victims.

Awards of Merit

Awards of Merit recognize sworn law enforcement personnel who've made outstanding achievements that contribute to enhancing the image of IDNR and conservation police, and who consistently perform their duties with skill, diligence, productivity, judgment and responsibility.

Four conservation police officers received awards of merit:

• Conservation Police Officer Brandon Fehrenbacher, who shows exceptional leadership and enforcement efforts in invasive species investigations at both the state and international level. He is assigned to Lake County.
• Conservation Police Officer Noah Workman, who shows continued dedication to Illinois' non-traditional park users who find themselves in need of humanitarian, non-law enforcement support. He is assigned to Dewitt County.
• Conservation Police Officer Austin Priest, who, after just five years with the department, demonstrates unparalleled excellence through relentless enforcement, impactful public outreach and interagency collaboration.
• Conservation Police Officer Dustin Taylor, a 20-plus year veteran of the department who is extremely involved in his local community, developing trusting relationships with hunters, anglers and other constituents, as well as local police and prosecutors. He is assigned to Lawrence County.

About IDNR

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is celebrating 100 years of conservation and service to the people of Illinois throughout 2025. The department was established July 1, 1925, as the Illinois Department of Conservation, bringing under one umbrella oversight of fish and game, forestry, public works, and lakes.