Great Lakes Wire

A Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officer from Kalkaska County has been honored as the 2021 Shikar Safari Wildlife Officer of the Year.

According to a news release from the state government, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission recognized Cpl. Mike Hearn during a recent meeting at the Lansing Community College West Campus.

“As a true fish and game warden, it’s my privilege to celebrate Cpl. Hearn as the 2021 Conservation Officer of the Year,” Chief Dave Shaw, DNR Law Enforcement Division, said. “Hearn has a consistent, impressive case record in all natural resource topics, including recreational safety, community relationships and general criminal activity. His positive, organized, teamwork philosophy makes him a valuable asset to the DNR Law Enforcement family. We look forward to the many more career accomplishments he surely has ahead of him.”

Before coming to Kalkaska County, Hearn did patrol for Oscoda County for four years before transferring. He also graduated from DNR’s Conservation Officer Recruit School No. 3 in 2003. Throughout his years of service to the community, he has maintained an excellent rapport with area police officers, the court and constituent groups.

This is not the first time that Hearn has been recognized for his performance. He was the 2016 Michigan Boating Officer of the Year and has spearheaded marine patrol efforts at the boating festivals, Bud Bash and Torchfest.

Hearn also participates in ongoing education such as the national Boating Under the Influence enforcement training and an Advanced Roadside Impairment Detection training for Operating Under the Influence. He is also counted on to train new officers and examines snowmobile and ORV crash patterns to plan advanced patrols.