Georgia Announces 2007 Ranger of the Year
Award Recipients
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July 2, 2007
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources
Division (WRD)
recently awarded two outstanding WRD law enforcement rangers. Ranger
First Class (RFC) Shane Sartor of the Region II-Gainesville Law
Enforcement office was selected as the 2007 State Ranger of the
Year, and Corporal James Keener of the Region I-Calhoun Law
Enforcement office received the 2007 James R. Darnell award (first
runner-up to the Ranger of the Year Award).
“The State of Georgia is fortunate that we have people, such as RFC
Sartor and Cpl. Keener, who will dedicate their lives to protecting
our natural resources,” says WRD Chief of Law Enforcement Col. Terry
West. “I commend both honorees for their dedication and
contributions toward our conservation enforcement efforts.”
State Ranger of the Year RFC Sartor began his career with WRD in
2000 as a conservation ranger. He now serves WRD as a conservation
ranger first class in Madison County. Sartor’s dedication is evident
in all aspects of his law enforcement work. Over the past year,
Sartor presented 28 information and education programs to the
public, taught four hunter education courses and helped organize
three kid’s fishing events for special needs children, and a youth
dove hunt, providing lunch and prizes to 75+ attendees. In addition,
he is very involved in his community – he participates in an outdoor
group with his church and continually writes articles for the local
paper, informing citizens of important season dates. In 2004 he was
recognized as the Region II National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)
Officer of the Year. As a valuable leader and team player, Sartor
offers assistance as requested, traveling throughout the region,
assisting all WRD efforts in addition to both local and statewide
needs. In January, he waded a river for two days searching for a
murder weapon to assist in a Madison County Sheriff’s Office case.
According to his supervisor Sgt. Stan Elrod, Sartor is one of the
most courteous rangers whose positive attitude and self-motivating
work ethic set him apart.
Cpl. Keener, recipient of the James R. Darnell award, began his
career with WRD in 1998 as a conservation ranger. He now serves WRD
as a conservation corporal in Pickens County where he is the Region
I Chief Firearms Instructor. Extremely community-oriented, Keener
was recently recognized by the Rome/Floyd county parks and
recreation department for his organization and establishment of the
“Youth Outdoors” program, which provides outdoor recreational
opportunities for youth around the community. He is also involved
with a number of local groups, including the National Wild Turkey
Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Christian Sportsmans
Groups, Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful and the Boy/Girl Scouts of
America, among others. Over the past year, Keener has proven his
dedication through his involvement in 75 information and education
programs, 47 general and boating safety programs, various hunter
development programs and numerous interviews with local radio
stations and newspapers. According to his supervisor Sgt. John Van
Landingham, Keener consistently strives for excellence in
enforcement, training and community involvement.
The State Ranger of the Year Award serves to honor a WRD
Conservation Ranger whose efforts in conservation law enforcement
have been exceptional over the past year. The ranger of the year
award recipient is also recognized by the Shikar-Safari Club
International.
The James R. Darnell award honors the WRD Conservation Ranger who is
the first runner-up for the State Ranger of the Year Award. A
sculpture titled “The Fawn” by artist James R. Darnell is presented
to the winner of this award each year.
Nominees were selected per region and the representatives were as
follows: Region I – Cpl. James Keener; Region II – RFC Shane Sartor;
Region III – Cpl. Matt Garthright; Region IV – Cpl. Susan Morris;
Region V – RFC Mike Binion; Region VI – RFC Jason Shipes; Region VII
– Cpl. Jesse Cook.
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