Richmond, Virginia -- The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) is proud to announce that Game Warden Bruce A. Lemmert of Loudoun County, Virginia, is the state level recipient of the 2002 Guy Bradley Award presented by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The Foundation established the Guy Bradley Award in 1988 to recognize individuals for achievements in wildlife law enforcement, focusing especially on those activities which directly aid or advance the law enforcement goals and mission of state and federal fish and wildlife agencies. The Guy Bradley Award is presented to those persons whose dedication and service to protecting the nation's resources demonstrate outstanding leadership, extended excellence, and a lifetime commitment to the field of wildlife law enforcement. The award is given in the spirit of Guy Bradley, believed to be the first wildlife law enforcement agent killed, in 1905, while performing his duties to protect the nation's wildlife.

Over the years, the Guy Bradley Award has recognized state and federal law conservation officers, forensic scientists, the Department of Justice, and corporations. This year, VDGIF Game Warden Bruce A. Lemmert of Loudoun County, Virginia, will be presented with the 2002 Guy Bradley Award at the 67th Annual North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Dallas, Texas, April 3-7, 2002.

Bruce Lemmert joined VDGIF in February 1989 at age 40 and has been stationed in Loudoun County ever since. Prior to coming to the Department for his second career, he worked in county government in Franklin County, Virginia, and was a Hunter Education Coordinator in Franklin County. Previously, Lemmert had earned a degree in Wildlife Management from Virginia Tech. He successfully combines his understanding of wildlife management with modern law enforcement techniques making him truly a superior officer.

In 1993, Bruce Lemmert's peers elected him to the presidency of The Virginia Game Warden Association. He was recognized for his leadership qualities and other abilities in spite of his relatively short time in the job. In 1996, Bruce was selected as VDGIF's Game Warden of the Year. Also in 1996, Bruce Lemmert was selected Officer of The Year by the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officer's Association. This organization has more than 6,000 members comprised of wildlife enforcement officers, from both state and national agencies, from the United States and Canada. Bruce served two four-year terms as a Director on the association's board, representing the southeastern states. Lemmert has also just completed two two-year terms as President of the Virginia Chapter of The Wildlife Society.

Over the years, Bruce Lemmert has taken many specialized training courses to improve his investigative skills. His peers and senior management recognize him as one of the Department's most thorough investigators. His ability is demonstrated in the many and varied investigations that game wardens encounter in conjunction with hunting accidents, boating accidents, and criminal investigations.

Bruce Lemmert recognizes that community involvement is essential to promoting the values and importance of wildlife management and wildlife law enforcement. One of the more notable accomplishments during his 13 years with VDGIF is an initiative for community involvement, The Wildlife Recognition and Reward Program. Lemmert started the program in collaboration with the Loudoun County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League (IWLA). In the spring of each year, Bruce Lemmert and IWLA membership honor those Loudoun County residents and law enforcement officers who assisted in either wildlife management or law enforcement during the past 12 months. The 12-year-old program has been recognized as a model of its kind both by the state and national IWLA.

Virginia Game Warden Bruce Lemmert is a leader in wildlife law enforcement both in the Commonwealth and across the nation. His advice and participation are sought on various committee assignments at VDGIF as well as with other societies and associations. His leadership talents, investigative skills, and wildlife conservation knowledge, make Virginia Game Warden Bruce Lemmert an ideal recipient of the Guy Bradley.