ICYMI: 2023 Law Enforcement Team of the Year Awarded to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Northwest Offshore Patrol Vessel Team

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council presented the 2023 Law Enforcement Officer/Team of the Year award to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Northwest Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Team comprised of Lieutenant Scott Smith, Senior Officers Matt Cushing and Pete Rockwell, Officer Specialists Tom Nelson, Matt Land, Greg Matechik, and Officer Tristan Hartzog.

The Council’s Team/Officer of the Year award acknowledges service above and beyond duty requirements and recognizes distinguished service, professionalism, and dedication to enforcing federal fishing regulations in the Gulf of Mexico. Nominees may be submitted from each of the five Gulf State Law Enforcement agencies, the U.S. Coast Guard, and NOAA Fisheries’ Office for Law Enforcement.

The Northwest OPV Team plays a crucial role in federal fisheries patrols, tackling multi-day missions at sea, conducting radiological detection patrols, and providing essential support for extended search and rescue operations. Their work spans extended deployments for public safety, disaster response, community outreach, and boating safety. In 2023, the team spent over 10,000 hours on water patrol, including nearly 500 hours dedicated specifically to federal fisheries. They issued 383 state citations and initiated 71 federal cases, all while fulfilling their regular duties, such as hunting enforcement and out-of-state response missions.

“The team whole heartedly embraces the agencies core missions and priority patrols. They are highly flexible and able to focus their patrols where they will be most beneficial to the resource and the public,” said Major Robby Creech with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “The squad truly has a passion for the outdoors. Whether its 80 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico, or in far back in the woods waiting on a hunter to show. I am truly proud to work alongside every member of this team.”