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HomeNewsTWRA announces Boating Officers of the Year

TWRA announces Boating Officers of the Year

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency - TWRANashville, TN – Brad Bagwell and Melvin McLerran have been selected as the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency 2016 Boating Officer of the Year and part-time Boating Officer of the Year, respectively.

Both officers are assigned to work District 21, a 12-county district in Middle Tennessee. District 21 contains the five major reservoirs of J. Percy Priest, Cordell Hull, Old Hickory, Cheatham, and Barkley.

Brad Bagwell holds his award for being named the Boating Officer of the Year. Pictured (from left) are Lt. Jim Hooper, Col. Rider, Director Carter, Officer Bagwell, Lt. Col Moates, Chairman Cannon, and Cpt. Grandstaff.
Brad Bagwell holds his award for being named the Boating Officer of the Year. Pictured (from left) are Lt. Jim Hooper, Col. Rider, Director Carter, Officer Bagwell, Lt. Col Moates, Chairman Cannon, and Cpt. Grandstaff.

Brad inspected 457 boats for compliance, issued 63 court citations for violations, 15 warning citations, administered Field Sobriety Tests to 22 boat operators and made 10 boating under the influence (BUI) arrests.

Additionally, Brad assisted other TWRA officers with 19 violations and helped 20 boaters on the water that required immediate assistance.

Brad worked patrol at three major public marine events in the Nashville area. Brad also checked close to 400 people for various hunting, fishing, and access area violations throughout the year.

Brad was the lead investigator on seven boating incidents and assisted on four others. Three investigations led to criminal charges being filed.

In the area of education and outreach, Brad assisted with three boater education classes, certifying 35 and assisted with the training of law enforcement officers. Brad has also spent a lot of his time working with numerous groups teaching them boating safety, hunting safety, and providing education on the importance of our agency and its mission.

Melvin McLerran holds his award for being selected as the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s part-time Boating Office of the Year. Pictured (from left) are Boating and Law Enforcement Cpt. Dale Grandstaff, Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission chairman Harold Cannon, Col Glenn Moates, Officer McLerran, Boating and Law Enforcement chief, Lt. Col. Darren Rider, and TWRA Executive Director Ed Carter.
Melvin McLerran holds his award for being selected as the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s part-time Boating Office of the Year. Pictured (from left) are Boating and Law Enforcement Cpt. Dale Grandstaff, Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission chairman Harold Cannon, Col Glenn Moates, Officer McLerran, Boating and Law Enforcement chief, Lt. Col. Darren Rider, and TWRA Executive Director Ed Carter.

In his duties as a part-time officer, Melvin inspected 567 boats for compliance, issued 85 court citations for violations, 56 warning citations, administered Field Sobriety Tests to 14 boat operators and made two arrests for boating under the influence (BUI).

Additionally, Melvin assisted other TWRA officers with nine BUI violations and helped 43 boaters on the water that required immediate assistance. Melvin worked patrol at major public marine events in the Nashville area and fulfilled the need to have more enforcement presence during hunting season when full-time officers were tasked with other duties.

In the area of outreach, Melvin participated in the Nashville Boat Show, conducted public programs and participated in other public venues to promote boating safety. He also provided support during the 2015 “Fun Run” event that highlights high performance powerboats and supports the Wounded Warrior Project.

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