INDIANA — The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Law Enforcement officially welcomed 23 new Indiana Conservation Officers during graduation ceremonies held today at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis.
The new recruits took their oath of office, administered by Conservation Officer Tyler Brock, recipient of the 2025 James D. Pitzer Officer of the Year award. These new officers will be deployed to serve various communities and counties across the state.
New Officers and Assigned Counties
- Adams County: Clyde-Christian Rash
- Clark County: Brody Fessel
- Dearborn/Ohio Counties: Evan Halstenberg
- Elkhart County: Jayden Blizzard
- Fayette County: Jacob Lundergan
- Fountain County: James Lowe
- Henry County: Donald Carty
- Johnson County: James Miller
- LaGrange County: Kyler Bowers
- LaPorte County: Joshua Hodge
- Parke County: Luke McDonald
- Perry County: Parker Gehl
- Porter County: Daniel Lunn, Gabriel Smail
- Posey County: Levi Rogers
- Rush County: Payton Lumpkin
- Scott County: Drake Huber
- Steuben County: Justin Eib, Noah Owsley
- Tipton County: Kyle Proper
- Warren County: Asa Christie
- Washington County: Paul Davis, Devon Pruett
Having completed an intensive six weeks of initial recruit training, the newly sworn officers will next attend a 15-week basic law enforcement academy. Following graduation from the academy, they will undergo specialized training before completing 90 shifts of hands-on field training alongside veteran officers.
The DNR Law Enforcement Division employs 214 conservation officers who safeguard the state’s natural resources and enforce law and order. Beyond standard law enforcement duties, conservation officers play vital roles during state emergencies and natural disasters.
They also conduct key public education programs covering boater, hunter, snowmobile, and trapper safety. To support emergency operations statewide, the division maintains specialized units in river rescue, cave rescue, underwater search and recovery, alongside trained K-9 teams ready for deployment as needed.
