March 13, 2015

Maine Warden Service 135th Anniversary and Annual Awards Ceremony

AUGUSTA - Today, the Maine Warden Service celebrated its 135th anniversary at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine. Included in today?s celebration was their annual awards banquet that gives special recognition to game wardens for their performance in 2014 and includes the recipient of the Maine Game Warden of the Year Award.

Game Warden of the Year ? Game Warden James Fahey (Bangor, Maine) Warden James Fahey (pictured at right) is a warden whose reputation embodies the very essence of this prestigious award. He has proven that he possesses the desire and fortitude for apprehending Maine?s most serious intentional fish and game violators, while consistently garnering public support. His accomplishments complement the esteemed community of past recipients and make him highly deserving of this honor bestowed by the Maine Warden Service.

Warden Fahey has consistently demonstrated integrity, character, leadership, and professionalism throughout his career. He is highly motivated, successful, and still energetic after 21 years of service. This past fall, like every fall throughout his career, Warden Fahey demonstrated his commitment to the Warden Service's mission. He persevered and successfully captured numerous intentional violators using innovative methods to resolve complicated investigations. Warden Fahey developed statewide partnerships to execute multiple arrest warrants and search warrants to bring violators to justice.

Warden Fahey started with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife with the Atlantic Salmon Commission. He was hired as a deputy game warden in 1991 sponsored by Warden David Priest Jr. Warden Fahey worked with as many wardens as possible throughout the division and performed night dispatcher duties at the Bangor Headquarters. Warden Fahey was hired as full-time district game warden in 1994, and after working a few districts in Northern Maine, Warden Fahey settled into the Bangor district where he currently patrols today. Warden Fahey consistently exhibits diligence and has an exceptional gift of conversation that affords him great insight as to the activities of the sportsman he encounters. Warden Fahey is a patient man who possesses the traditional traits and knowledge necessary to outwit the intentional violators.

Warden Fahey is a consistent producer year after year and, in addition to his regular duties, he has taken the initiative to help develop new protocols to efficiently manage the abundance of nuisance wildlife or human/animal type conflicts, which allow wardens to focus on investigations resulting in a more strategic use of financial resources.

Warden Fahey also sits on the advisory board for the licensing of guides, and is also a Maine guide examiner. Because of his background as a game warden, coupled with his experience guiding and extensive knowledge of Maine, Warden Fahey is often called upon to respond to and investigate guide complaints. Warden Fahey has consistently demonstrated that he can do a thorough and fair investigation. His findings are discussed by the board and they formulate a recommendation to the Commissioner based, largely, on his endorsement. Besides his excellent investigative work, Warden Fahey has gone above and beyond in other areas of his position on the board. He has made many contributions to the new practical testing procedures and procured equipment to enhance the board?s ability to evaluate candidates. He has also occupied integral roles on board sub-committees such as the Maine Professional Guide?s Association that resulted in strong partnerships and unified focus.

In addition to his work, Warden Fahey has always been involved with the community where he serves. While living in Aroostook County, Warden Fahey volunteered every year to assist with the Can Am dog sled race, school programs, and education outreach activities. In recent years Warden Fahey has been deeply committed to, and involved with, the Penobscot County Conservation Club youth fishing project. Warden Fahey has balanced his career and family obligations well. He is a dedicated husband to his wife, Shelley, and committed father to his two sons, James and Scott. Warden Fahey is active with his sons? traditional sports, and also has successfully developed and mentored them in Maine?s outdoor heritage of hunting, fishing, and trapping. It is for all the above reasons that Game Warden Jim Fahey is the Maine Warden Service Game Warden of the Year for 2014.

Maine Warden Service Canine Team Awards:

K9 Conservation Case of the Year Award: Game Warden Kim Bates and her K9 Yaro (West Forks)

K9 Search and Rescue of the Year Award: Game Warden Dave Chabot and his K9 Ruby (Greene)

William Roseberry Spirit of America Award: Corporal Michelle Merrifield (Union)

Exemplary Service Award recipients are Lieutenant Tim Place (Belfast), Sergeants Bruce Loring (Enfield), Scott Thrasher (Madison), Dave Craven (Bucks Harbor), Glenn Annis (Dover Foxcroft), Corporals Mike Joy (South Berwick), Michelle Merrifield (Union), Andrew Glidden (Millinocket), Investigator Josh Bubier (Skowhegan), Game Wardens Aaron Cross (Morrill), Dan Christianson (Kingfield), Dave Ross (China), Steve Allarie (Winthrop), Bob Johansen (Millinocket), Jim Davis (E. Millinocket), Mike Boyer (Howland), Dave Georgia (Greenfield TWP), Joe Bailey (Milford), Kim Bates (West Forks), Jeremy Kemp (Sangerville), Phil Richter (Lamoine), Mike Pierre (Standish), Will Shuman (Rockwood), Troy Dauphinee (Shirley), Jared Herrick (Harmony), Preston Pomerleau (Ashland), Tony Gray (Oxford), Chris Dyer (Morrill), Lucas Bellanceau (Denmark), Carlton Richardson (North Waterboro), Peter Herring (Gorham), and Maine Warden Service Chaplain Kate Braestrup (Lincolnville). A certificate for Exemplary Service shall be presented when, in the opinion of the Awards Board, a Warden has rendered relevant outstanding service which deserves special recognition.

Meritorious Service Award recipients are Warden Pilot Charlie Later (Greenville), Sergeants Bruce Loring (Enfield), Dave Craven (Bucks Harbor), Ron Dunham (Lincoln), Game Wardens Norm Lewis and his K9 Clyde (Bryant Pond), Wayde Carter (Marshfield), Joseph McBrine (East Machias), Joe Bailey (Milford), Chris Sergeant (Ellsworth), and James Fahey (Bangor) and Acadia Mt. Guide John Tierney. The Meritorious Service Awards shall be presented for conduct above the ordinary course of duty, when a Game Warden, because of individual or team initiative, courage and diligence, places themselves in danger while performing their duties.

Maine Warden Service Special Recognition: Recipients are Game Wardens David Ross (China), Tom McKenney (Norridgewock), Eric Rudolph (Ellsworth), and Kris MacCabe (Wilton).

Outstanding Supervisor Award: Recipient Chief Pilot Durward Humphrey (Benedicta). The Outstanding Supervisor Award is presented annually to the supervisory officer who has demonstrated superior knowledge and leadership in the area of conservation law enforcement supervision and by doing so has gained the respect of administrators, supervisors, fellow officers, other Department employees, other agencies and the public regarding expertise and performance in the field of supervision.

Maine Warden Service Association (MWSA) Merit Award: Recipient Jen Brophy owner/operator of Red River Sporting Camps in Township 15 Range 9.The MWSA Merit Award provides recognition to a civilian(s) for highly meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service. For the purpose of this award, conduct above the ordinary course of duty, when a civilian, because of individual or team initiative, courage and diligence, provides assistance with the goals and mission of the Maine Warden Service.

MWSA Legendary Game Warden Award: Retired Game Warden Lloyd Perkins (Augusta) served as a Maine game warden from 1971 to 2001. The Legendary Game Warden of the Year Award shall be presented to any retired member of the Maine Warden Service who, consistently in the past, conducted themselves in such a manner as to display exceptional expertise in the areas of conservation law enforcement and since retiring has continued to provide a passion for meeting the goals and mission of the MWS.