June 27, 2006

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has named Warden Todd Tognazzini, who serves the San Luis Obispo County area, as Warden of the Year. DFG will present the award to Tognazzini at an upcoming Fish and Game Commission meeting.

“Warden Tognazzini represents the finest qualities found in the ranks of the state’s Fish and Game wardens,” said Nancy Foley, DFG’s Chief of Patrol. “He has a fine-tuned sixth sense of where violators are likely to be found, demonstrated through his outstanding record in the field. His dedication to duty and reputation as a warden who pursues every lead has elevated him to an elite level of law enforcement officers.”

This year the award goes to a 28-year veteran who symbolizes the highest level of professionalism, a wildlife protector equally capable of accomplishing the task or teaching it to the next generation of wardens.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized by the Department in such a way for doing something that I love so much,” Tognazzini said. “There are a lot of very good game wardens in the state, and to be honored in this manner is something I will cherish the rest of my life.”

Peers and supervisors established the prize in 1989 to recognize DFG’s finest officers. In connection with the statewide honor, Tognazzini’s commanders have also nominated him for the Western Wildlife Law Enforcement Association’s Pogue-Elms Award. That award, created in honor of two Idaho wildlife officers killed in the line of duty in 1981 by a poacher, recognizes wildlife officers who exemplify courage, dedication, sacrifice and hard work. Wildlife agencies from 23 states and Canadian provinces, from Yukon south to Texas and west from Alaska to Hawaii, form the association.

In his recommendation of Tognazzini for the award, DFG Capt. Doug Huckins praised the warden’s dedication, enthusiasm, and professionalism.

“Even after more than 25 years on the job, Warden Tognazzini is enthusiastic about protecting the varied habitat and fish and wildlife resources of California,” Huckins said. “(He) represents all that is worthy of recognition in wildlife law enforcement as he helps lead the way for his segment of the ‘thin green line’ along California’s Central Coast.”

Tognazzini, 48, launched his DFG career in 1978, first as a wildlife enforcement seasonal aide in Port Hueneme, Ventura County, and then as a reserve warden in San Luis Obispo County. In 1982, he shifted to the environmental side when DFG hired him as a marine fisheries biologist in Long Beach. He accepted appointment to the warden ranks a year later, and in February 1984, graduated from a law enforcement academy, recognized as the class’ outstanding officer and academic award winner. He joined DFG’s warden ranks in Redondo Beach and in his first year developed 1,008 cases.

“At an early age I fell in love with the outdoors,” Tognazzini recalled. “I grew up in a rural area, where there was a stream running behind our house. I knew what being in the outdoors meant and how important it was to protect that. I made a pact with a friend when I was 13 years old that we were going to end up doing something in the environmental field, either a game warden or a biologist. Even back then I knew what I wanted to do.”

While the significance of Warden of the Year marks his effort in the field and classroom, Tognazzini said none of it was possible without the outstanding support of his wife, Kris, and children: Tamara, Kyle, and Amy.

Throughout his career, Tognazzini has mentored those around him, both inexperienced wardens and those outdoor enthusiasts whom he meets on trails, in fields and along shorelines. As a field training officer, he has guided 16 new wardens along the early stages of their career. One of his additional duties has been a temporary assignment to the Resources Academy in Ione, where he trained cadets in all aspects of law enforcement. Additionally, he instructs law enforcement officers statewide in firearms skills as an instructor at the California Specialized Training Institute in San Luis Obispo.

Between 1994 and 2002, he has served as a part-time lecturer at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo in the Natural Resources Management Department.

DFG recognized Tognazzini’s skills as a warden first in 1997 when the Central Coast Region selected him as its Officer of the Year, praising him for his expertise in streambed alteration, pollution and environmental crime investigations. A year later, the Region again honored him with its hunter education instructor award. Tognazzini has been an active hunter safety instructor since 1980 and created the Ray Azbill Junior Hunt in 1991. He continues to run this program recognized as one of the premier junior hunting programs in California.

Tognazzini regularly assists as a crewmember on one of DFG’s ocean-going patrol boats. He developed a keen sense for sport and commercial marine enforcement, equally adept with boarding a boat at sea or operating a skiff on a lake. He has spent several lengthy assignments with DFG’s Special Operations Unit, the undercover component that focuses on poachers. His efforts during investigations into the commercialization of abalone, sturgeon and black bears have earned accolades. In 2003, he foiled a Southeast Asia operation that was illegally importing snakehead fish to California. His effort left several defendants facing state and federal charges in Los Angeles, with $230,000 in levied fines and long-term probation.

“Because he is so multi-talented as a game warden and as an individual, Todd has been instrumental in establishing the rapport that DFG enjoys with local, state and federal allied agencies,” Huckins said. “His input is regularly sought by county district attorneys, the U.S. Attorney and the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors.”