West Virginia DNR Police Officer McLaughlin receives National Wild Turkey Federation award
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Division 6 Police Officer Joshua D. McLaughlin, left, received the National Wild Turkey Federation’s State Sharp Spur Officer of the Year Award Feb. 23 at Marshall University. It was presented by Patrick “Cully” McCurdy, right, the National Wild Turkey Federation district biologist for West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. (Photo Provided)
PARKERSBURG — In his third year as a West Virginia Division of Natural Resources police officer, Joshua D. McLaughlin has received the National Wild Turkey Federation’s State Sharp Spur Officer of the Year Award. “It’s a big deal,” said McLaughlin, who serves in District 6, which includes Wood, Wirt, Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane and Tyler counties. “There’s guys that’s 20-plus years in that have been nominated three or four times and haven’t won.” The award was presented to McLaughlin Feb. 23 at Marshall University, recognizing “his innovative investigative techniques and commitment to combat illegal turkey poaching and ensure justice for wildlife violations,” according to a release from the DNR. McLaughlin said he was “shocked, honored (and) humbled” by the recognition. “I had no idea that I was even in the running for the award,” he said. Col. Bobby Cales, the West Virginia DNR Natural Resources Police chief, said McLaughlin’s “work ethic, investigative skills and relentless pursuit of justice are an invaluable asset and inspiration to us all. “His efforts exemplify the spirit of the WVDNR’s Law Enforcement Section and its mission to protect our state’s natural resources. He truly deserves this national recognition, and we are incredibly proud to have him as part of our team,” Cales said. McLaughlin said the job is something he always wanted to do, having graduated from Hocking College in 2002 with an associate’s degree in fish and wildlife management. But his career took him first to other areas of law enforcement. He served as an auxiliary police officer in Ohio for two years before being hired by the United States Border Patrol in 2006. In 2017, he joined the Wood County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy, leaving in 2022 to take a job with the DNR. McLaughlin said he recognizes that other officers before him put in hard work at lower rates of pay. That, and the work ethic instilled in him by his father, contribute to the effort he puts in on the job. “It’s been great. I try to do the best job I can,” McLaughlin said. “The department, it deserves that.” The release said McLaughlin’s dedication “has led to numerous successful investigations, particularly in the area of combating wildlife crimes such as illegal turkey poaching.” McLaughlin said the accomplishments are not his alone. “I’m just out there doing my job,” he said. “It’s really a group effort. I had other officers with me on a lot of (those) citations and a lot of those bait sites.” “Officer McLaughlin’s unwavering dedication to preserving our wildlife and natural habitats demonstrates his exceptional commitment to the state of West Virginia,” said DNR Director Brett McMillion. “His tireless efforts in ensuring justice and promoting ethical hunting practices have not only protected our natural resources but also set a high standard for law enforcement officers across the nation.” The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement Section is the state’s oldest statewide law enforcement agency and employs more than 120 officers who are responsible for the enforcement of laws in Chapter 20 of the West Virginia Code and the rules promulgated under that authority. Officers can specialize in various roles, such as K-9 operations, human tracking, undercover work, swiftwater rescue, dive team, firearms training, defensive tactics, drone operations and more. They also patrol the Hatfield-McCoy Trails, assist other agencies and oversee hunter education and boating safety programs. Hunters and anglers who wish to report a wildlife or natural resources crime can call their local WVDNR district office during normal business hours or submit an anonymous tip online at WVdnr.gov/report-a-natural-resources-crime. Members of the public may also report crimes via message at Facebook.com/DNRpolice. For crimes in progress, people are asked to call 911. More information is available online at WVdnr.gov/law-enforcement. Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.Local News
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