ANNAPOLIS, MD—The Maryland Natural Resources Police held its annual awards ceremony Thursday, recognizing conservation law enforcement officers and professional staff for their achievements in 2024, including acts of bravery and significant contributions to public safety and environmental protection.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz and Natural Resources Police Col. Orlando Lilly presented the honors at Annapolis High School in Anne Arundel County.
Cpl. William Ruffner, who worked in both the Eastern and Central regions, was named the 2024 Officer of the Year. Ruffner was recognized for his comprehensive enforcement efforts, which exposed turkey poaching, impaired boaters and illegal commercial fisheries violations, as well as his mentorship of fellow officers.
Maj. Matthew Corbin’s promotion from captain was formally celebrated. Corbin, who was officially promoted on April 30, now oversees the Special Services Bureau.
The Medal of Valor was awarded to Cpl. Cody Thorne. Thorne was first on the scene of an April 2024 vehicle accident where a 17-year-old driver’s car overturned and caught fire. Thorne rescued the injured driver from the burning vehicle, sustaining smoke inhalation, hand and arm lacerations, and blood exposure in the process.
Thirteen officers received the Award of Merit for actions that went beyond the call of duty in attempts to save human life. They include Cpl. Veronica Bruns, Sgt. Ronald Collier, Officer First Class Christopher Crable, Officer First Class Michael Goodison, Sgt. Jason Haynes, Cpl. Emily Helterbran, Cpl. James Major, Officer First Class Donald Medtart, Officer First Class Kyle Neitzel, Senior Officer Morgan Phelps, Officer First Class Brennen Przywieczerski. and Cpl. William Ruffner.
Bruns, Collier, Crable and Helterbran were recognized for their response to multiple distress calls on the South River during a microburst storm that caused a vessel to be pinned against a rock jetty, an overturned jet ski and a grounded boat.
Collier, Crable, Haynes, Medtart, and Phelps were honored for rescuing eight boaters whose vessel capsized outside Sandy Point State Park in severe storm conditions.
Goodison and Neitzel received recognition for their urgent response to a vehicle crash and rollover in St. Inigoes State Forest, which resulted in four occupants with life-threatening injuries and the recovery of firearms suspected in crimes.
Major was honored for rescuing an exhausted swimmer swept away from a sandbar at Point Lookout State Park during windy conditions.
Przywieczerski was honored for leading a successful search for a 73-year-old individual with dementia who went missing on Christmas in Gaithersburg in freezing temperatures.
Ruffner also received an Award of Merit for his emergency response to an 11-month-old infant choking on a banana in Queen Anne’s County, where his immediate action saved the child’s life before EMS arrived.
“It’s important we recognize the work our officers have done to elevate the standards of this great agency,” said Col. Lilly, noting challenges such as the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse and a January aircraft collision over the Potomac.
Other notable honorees included Officer First Class Brett Simon as Conservation Officer of the Year for his expertise in wildlife and fisheries enforcement, and Officer First Class Brendan Ryan as Boating Safety Officer of the Year for his leadership in enforcing boating under the influence laws. Cpl. Anthony Pecoriello received the Support Services Officer of the Year Award for his work in officer training.
Anna Dahlstrom received the Professional Staff Employee Award, while Reserve Officers Kimberly Doyle, Betty Maher and John Groat were named Reserve Officers of the Year. Officer First Class Hector Rojas was recognized as Fishing and Boating Services Officer of the Year, and Sgt. Danielle Brown was awarded Maryland Park Service NRP Officer of the Year.
Additionally, four officers received Superintendent’s Commendations: Officer First Class Jodi Bentz, Cpl. Todd Cardarelli, Cpl. Timothy Fabian and Cpl. Antonio Junta. Unit Citations were also issued to several teams, including the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Team, the Baltimore Marine Unit, Area 3 Southern Region, the Communications Center and the Underwater Operations Team.
Photo: The Natural Resources Police Underwater Operations Team is awarded with a Unit Citation, recognizing the divers for their work in several incidents including their response to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Maryland DNR photo.
