WHITLEY CO. – Indiana Conservation Officer Erick Bolt, who serves Whitley County, and recently retired Indiana Conservation Officer Todd Lang, who served Steuben County, have both been selected as the 2025 District 2 Officers of the Year.
“Across Indiana, conservation officers are on the front lines promoting public safety in the outdoors and protecting our state’s vital natural resources,” said Governor Mike Braun. “I congratulate the officers from each of the 10 districts who have earned this distinguished honor for their exceptional service on behalf of Hoosiers in 2025.”
Bolt, a 2011 District Officer of the Year, has served as a conservation officer for 30 years. He was the District 2 commander for 12 years before returning to the field in Whitley County in 2024.
In addition to his normal duties as a field officer, Bolt serves as a field training officer, background investigator, and sonar operator for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Law Enforcement.
Lang served as a conservation officer for 30 years. He also served in Wells, Union, and LaGrange counties.
In addition to his normal duties as a field officer, Lang served as a field training officer, background investigator, and boat accident investigator for the DNR Division of Law Enforcement.
The district award puts Bolt and Lang in the running for the Pitzer Award, which is presented to the top overall conservation officer in the state and is selected from the 10 district winners.
The Pitzer Award is named after Conservation Officer James D. Pitzer, who was fatally shot while investigating illegal hunting activity on Jan. 2, 1961, in Jay County.
