Local Conservation Officer Gets Top National Award

Guy Bradley. The name is hardly a house-hold word, and for 99.9 percent of the sportsmen across the United States, he is an unknown man. And that is really too bad.

Mr. Bradley was the first wildlife law enforcement officer who was killed in 1905 in the line of duty as he worked to protect the nation's wildlife. Conservation officers, who are spread thinly in almost all areas of the country, are the main line of defense against poaching of our nation's fish, fur and game animals and birds.They are afield during all types of weather conditions, at all hours of the day and night, and often are alone, understaffed and overworked.

"This award is given yearly by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, which is located in Portland, Oregon," said Krystyna Wolnilakowski, NFWF's spokesperson. "Each year people may nominate someone from a state or federal agency  to receive this prestigious award. The award is given to only one state Conservation Officer and one Federal officer each year.

Leelanau County Conservation Officer Mike Borkovich receives a National award.

"The 2010 award was chosen from a large number of state officers from all 50 states," Wolniakowski said. "This year the award goes To Sgt. Mike Borkovich, Michigan Conservation Officer for Leelanau County. Sgt. Borkovich exemplifies everything that the Guy Bradley Award stands for: outstanding leadership, extended excellence, and a lifetime commitment to the field of wildlife law enforcement and whose actions advance the cause of wildlife conservation."

Being chosen for this award means Borkovich will receive a commemorative plaque and a check for $1,000. State employees cannot accept cash awards of any kind, but the money can be presented to any organization chosen by the recipient.

"For a guy who is seldom at a loss for words, this time I'm speechless," Borkovich said. "Receiving the Guy Bradley Award for doing my job as the Department of Natural Resources' Law Enforcement Division as I believe it should be done is a dream come true. Not once did I ever believe I'd be the only state conservation officer to be chosen for this annual award. It is most certainly appreciated, and this is a work-related honor I'll cherish forever."

Officer is overwhelmed by being chosen for this prestigious award.

Borkovich is the epitome of what all conservation officers should emulate. He and other conservation officers are the best, and in many cases, the only connection the public has with the state DNR. These officers know the laws, and enforce them with a passion, but they don't write tickets just for something to do. Officers stand up every day for the firm protection of all fish and wildlife conservation laws.

Larry Johnson, Chief Park Ranger for the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore at Empire, Michigan, nominated Borkovich for this honor. He says this officer is known by his colleagues as "36/24" for squeezing 36 hours of results out of each 24-hour day.

"Mike works so many nights on patrol that his wife sometimes feels she's married to a vampire," Johnson said." He works with an intensity and dedication that helps to inspire those he meets, including some poachers he catches. He is a one-man public relations spokesman for the DNR and the many user groups within his working area. He educates the public whenever he comes in contact with them, and informs them in a nice way why these laws are in place and why it's his job to enforce them. Often, he does it with a smile on his face.

"He teaches them about the many "whys" of conservation, and the amazing thing is he teaches without preaching to people. He leads without being condescending in any way. It's this rare talent that has set him apart from other excellent conservation officers."

A local newspaper column showed both side of Borkovich's job.

Johnson, when nominating him, enclosed a Nov. 30, 2008 copy of a newspaper article I wrote for the Traverse City Record Eagle in Traverse City, Michigan. The story was titled "Faces Of A Conservation Officer," and the topic was how Mike Borkovich operates as a conservation officer. One side shows how he expects strict adherence to Michigan's wildlife laws, and in the story he let a person off without a ticket when he shot an antlerless deer because the man called and told him he'd made a mistake. The doe was confiscated the next day, and I was with the officer when he presented it to a stroke-stricken man who needed winter meat.

"That act shows both sides of Borkovich's character. He does have another side, one that he tells people: "I will treat you as fairly as possible but don't lie to me." If he asks questions, and someone does lie, they usually are ticketed. Two weeks ago, while on a snowmobile check with him, he allowed a couple of snowmobilers to go to town and  buy their Trail Permit. He doesn't like to give tickets, and they are a last-choice situation for him. He'd rather talk to people, explain the law, and be friendly. Of course, at six-feet, five inches, he commands respect and can take enforcement to another level if necessary."

The Guy Bradley Award is  one granted to officers who carry on the proud tradition of a state Conservation Officer, and Mike Borkovich epitomizes everything this prestigious award stands for, and his presence in this area is beneficial to the entire state.

Posted via email from Dave Richey Outdoors