Indiana Conservation Officer Cole Hollingsworth, who serves Greene County, has been selected as the 2024 District 5 Officer of the Year.
Hollingsworth has been with the Department of Natural Resources Division of Law Enforcement for five years, initially serving in Wayne County before transferring to Greene County in 2021. Alongside his regular duties, he also serves as a field training officer, background investigator, sonar operator, public information officer, and airboat operator.
District 5 covers Greene, Sullivan, Parke, Clay, Vigo, Vermillion, Putnam, and Owen counties. As the district honoree, Hollingsworth is now in the running for the prestigious Pitzer Award, given to the top conservation officer in the state.
The Pitzer Award is named after Conservation Officer James D. Pitzer, who was fatally shot while investigating illegal hunting activity on Jan. 2, 1961, in Jay County. The award is presented annually to the officer who best exemplifies professionalism, dedication, and excellence in conservation law enforcement.
The Indiana DNR recognizes officers from each of the state’s 10 districts for their outstanding service, with one ultimately receiving the statewide honor.
