Game Warden Lucas Barnard and Staff Sergeant William Ladue Receive SAFMC Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award
September 20th, 2024
Two nominees were selected to receive the 2023 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council during the Council’s quarterly meeting this week in Charleston, South Carolina. The annual award was presented to Game Warden Lucas Barnard with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Staff Sergeant William Ladue with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. (photo: L-R Staff Sergeant William Ladue, Council Chair Dr. Carolyn Belcher, and Game Warden Lucas Barnard).
The two recipients were nominated by their respective state agencies but share much in common. Both law enforcement officers were acknowledged first for their positive attitude and willingness to go the extra mile, followed by dedication to working on cases involving federal investigations through NOAA Fisheries Joint Enforcement Agreement (JEA).
Since 2010, the Council has been recognizing individuals or teams that have exceeded the duty requirements expected, exemplified the virtues of professionalism and dedication, and demonstrated a distinct pattern of service to enforcing fisheries regulations in the South Atlantic region.
Game Warden Lucas Barnard is assigned to Glynn County, Georgia but often extends his time into the surrounding coastal counties, patrolling offshore as well as the inshore waters of the Altamaha and St. Mary’s River systems. He sees the JEA as a priority, participating in 10 joint federal patrols in 2023 that involved the snapper grouper fishery, right whale protection, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, shrimp trawlers, and investigations/seafood dealer inspections. He also assisted NOAA Federal Officers at the Port of Savannah with inspection of containers coming into the port. Of those patrols, he submitted and participated in five JEA cases, including undersized Black Sea Bass, possession of Red Snapper during closed season, over the limit Vermilion Snapper, undersized King Mackerel, descending device violations, and illegal charter violations.
“Lucas is dedicated to protecting our offshore marine fisheries and enjoys his time on the water,” said Captain Chris Hodge and Sergeant David Brady in their nomination recommendation. “Although he is young in his career, he strives to excel and be the best he can be, while challenging others to do the same.”
Staff Sergeant William Ladue was nominated by First Sergeant and JEA Coordinator Garret Hering. SSG Ladue works the Lower Charleston Unit within Region 4 covering South Carolina’s coast and is responsible for enforcing recreational and commercial saltwater as well as freshwater fisheries. He serves as a Field Training Officer for new hires assigned to his unit, and considered a leader when it comes to knowledge of the waterways in his area of operation.
Known by his fellow officers as “Willie”, Ladue is also known as his unit’s go-to officer for JEA, with over 100 hours of patrol time in 2023. He made multiple commercial saltwater fisheries cases that include license violations, shellfish and crabbing violations, and illegal trawling violations. Ladue is also responsible for numerous recreational saltwater cases, including bag and size limit for saltwater gamefish and multiple illegal use of gill net cases. He was the lead officer in four trawling in closed state waters cases this past year, issuing five citations that totaled over $31,000 in fines.
According to JEA Coordinator Hering, “Willie is always willing to help his coworkers with whatever they need and rarely seeks credit for himself. Moreover, he is always willing to be the officer who makes the case but gives citations to the younger officers who are with him at the time.”
“While the 2023 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year recipients are at different stages in their careers, they share in the qualities, values, and dedication to the protection of marine resources, “said Council Chair, Carolyn Belcher. “We are happy to share this well-deserved recognition.”