An Indiana Conservation Officer with more than two decades of service has been named the 2024 District 7 Officer of the Year.
District 7 covers Knox, Daviess, Gibson, Pike, Martin and Dubois Counties as well as Warrick, Posey, Spencer and Vanderburgh.
Joseph Haywood, who serves Dubois County, received the honor for his dedication and contributions to the Department of Natural Resources Division of Law Enforcement. Haywood has been a conservation officer for 21 years, previously serving in Knox County before transferring to Dubois County.
In addition to his field duties, he plays key roles as a public information officer, honor guard member, ROV search operator, National Archery in the Schools instructor, and field training officer.
The District 7 award places Haywood in the running for the prestigious Pitzer Award, given to the top conservation officer in the state. Named after Officer James D. Pitzer, who was fatally shot in the line of duty in 1961, the award honors excellence in conservation law enforcement.
