For Release: Friday, June 24, 2005
ECO Technical Sergeant Richard W. Matzell Honored as Conservation Officer of the Year
Peers Select 32-year Veteran to Receive Shikar-Safari Annual Award
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced that Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Technical Sergeant Richard W. Matzell of St. Lawrence County has been named the 2004 New York State's Wildlife Conservation Officer of the Year by the Shikar-Safari Club International.
"Technical Sergeant Matzell, who very recently retired, was one of the Department's most honored and respected ECOs with many awards and commendations to his name," Commissioner Sheehan said. "During his time with DEC, his professional attitude and demeanor in the office and the field earned him the respect of his law enforcement peers and supervisors and the public. It is his dedication to conservation that led DEC to create the nation's first ever wildlife detection dog team. Today, this unique canine unit has uncovered hundreds of game violations across the State, assisted in multiple life-or-death outdoor rescue missions, and protected our ECOs in the field. This award is a very fitting end to a very successful career."
The award will be presented to T/Sgt. Matzell this afternoon at a ceremony hosted by Shikar-Safari member, Robert Stackler. T/Sgt. Matzell was selected by a statewide committee of New York State Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Investigators to receive this recognition.
Shikar-Safari International Club is an organization that was formed in 1952 by an international group of hunters to promote the ethical and conservation-minded hunting of big game animals, primarily in Asia and Africa. The group makes annual awards to an officer of the year in all 50 states. It has awarded DEC members the wildlife officer of the year award since the 1960s.
T/Sgt. Richard "Dick" Matzell worked in the Division of Law Enforcement for 32 years. He began his career in 1973 following in his father William's footsteps, himself having been an ECO for 30 years. T/Sgt. Matzell served in DEC Region 6 initially patrolling the Theresa Lakes and Fort Drum areas of Jefferson County. In l977, utilizing his lifelong interest and knowledge of sporting dogs, T/Sgt. Matzell presented the idea of training a wildlife detection dog specifically trained to detect venison to the Captain and Director of Law Enforcement. Permission was granted and the nation's first wildlife detection dog team, ECO Matzell and K9 "Paws,"was trained.
In l980, T/Sgt Matzell transferred back to his roots in St. Lawrence County where he worked for the last 24 years of his career. He patrolled some of the most beautiful wilderness and rugged waters of the State, maintaining one of the highest priority conservation areas in the State. In addition to patrolling his sector, T/Sgt Matzell promoted K9 usage across the State performing K9 demonstrations, venison detection and searches for criminals and lost persons. This brought recognition to the value of highly trained K9s, resulting in the growth of the Division of Law Enforcement Detector Dog Unit to nine dogs in six DEC Regions, under the leadership, training and coordination of T/Sgt Matzell. Through T/Sgt Matzell's direction, the Unit became a modal that has been replicated across the United States and Canada.
In l997, T/Sgt. Matzell was promoted to Technical Sergeant, the first to hold that rank in the Division. Over 27 years T/Sgt Matzell handled three K9s, "Paws", "Hunter", and "Api," and instructed 10 handlers and 18 Division K9s. In recognition of Matzell's commitment to the K9 Program, a new K9 was named in his honor, K9 "Matz."
His record is replete with awards for excellence: the Department's Ernest F. Trad award, the Divisions's Fred Drew award, the Silver Star award for bravery, Captain's Commendations, and countless letters of praise and thanks from schools, scouts, and sportsmen's groups.
T/Sgt. Matzell retired on May 27, 2004, completing his full career of valuable public service. He and his wife Bonnie reside in Colton, New York. They have two children, Holly and Timothy, and two grandchildren, Jansen and Megan.
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