Virginia’s Department of Wildlife Resources honored its finest conservation officers during an awards ceremony held March 18, recognizing outstanding achievements in law enforcement, public safety, and community service throughout 2025.
2025 CONSERVATION POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Senior Officer Kevin Webb
Senior Officer Webb earned the top honor through remarkable leadership, training expertise, and investigative excellence during 2025. Webb mentored officers as a Field Training Officer, conducted extensive driver training for DWR and academy personnel, and participated in 11 community outreach programs including youth camps and school presentations.
Webb’s investigative prowess shone in complex cases, including volunteering as lead investigator for a late-night predator hunting fatality outside his assigned area. The intricate case required search warrants, crime scene recreations, and comprehensive interviews, ultimately resulting in felony murder and reckless handling charges. His quick response, evidence preservation, and coordination proved crucial for successful prosecution.
Throughout the year, Webb built substantial cases through thorough investigations. His determination in an antler possession case led to convictions on all 12 charges by disproving fake documentation through database research and social media examination. He filed 18 charges in a major baiting and trespassing case, handled four spring turkey tagging violations, and secured felony charges in separate hunting-related shootings. His work resulted in multiple felony convictions and earned high praise from a Commonwealth’s Attorney.
2025 VIRGINIA BOATING OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Officer First Class B. Tyler Dagliano
Officer First Class Dagliano excelled in boating safety enforcement and officer mentorship throughout 2025. As primary Field Training Officer for two trainees, he balanced teaching responsibilities with aggressive enforcement against impaired and unsafe boaters, recording 30 boating violations and making five primary OUI arrests while assisting with four additional arrests.
His mentorship directly built confidence in newer officers, including guiding a trainee through two OUI arrests during one shift. Dagliano strategically targeted peak boating periods and coordinated joint operations with neighboring areas, extending his enforcement reach to major events like the Lake Anna Glow Party.
Beyond enforcement, Dagliano responded to four boaters-in-distress calls and multiple search and rescue incidents, while investigating two boating incidents including one fatality. His exceptional service earned him Region 1 Operation Dry Water Officer of the Year, the 2025 MADD Award for OUI enforcement, and an Excellence in Police Service certificate for his response to the Reagan National Airport aircraft collision.
2025 SPECIAL OPERATIONS CPO OF THE YEAR
Senior Special Agent Zach Howlett
Special Agent Howlett stepped up when the Special Investigations Unit lost both Marine Fraud & Theft positions, recovering three stolen vessels, two trailers, and identifying $58,000 in marine fraud while recovering $1,725 in taxes and penalties. He sacrificed personal time responding to 10 critical incidents statewide, including multiple fatal hunting and boating incidents.
Howlett showcased advanced investigative techniques, utilizing 43 search warrants, digital forensics, surveillance technology, and social media analysis to solve complex cases. His certification as a Cellebrite Operator and Physical Analyst enhanced his effectiveness. Notably, he coordinated a successful bait boat operation using a covert IP camera that allowed real-time viewing of the theft.
Beyond investigations, Howlett significantly impacted training and outreach. He helped develop and instruct DWR’s first-ever IHEA Academy and led regional hunting incident training. He also enhanced agency visibility through community events and media engagement, including the widely viewed “True Wildlife Crime: The Hollywood Buck Case” video episode, which has garnered over 236,000 views.
2025 COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Renee Brown
Dispatcher Brown demonstrated exceptional skill and composure during 2025, particularly when safeguarding a Conservation Police Officer who suffered a medical emergency while on duty. As the sole dispatcher present, she simultaneously managed emergency coordination, dispatched medical resources, and maintained full radio and phone operations across multiple channels.
Her performance metrics reflect excellence: thousands of calls for service, extensive CJIS transactions, numerous public tips managed, and zero unverified addresses – crucial for officer safety across Virginia’s varied terrain. Brown maintained perfect attendance and volunteered for additional shifts during high-demand periods. She also serves as Dispatch COOP and Sunshine Coordinator, strengthening continuity planning and team morale.
COLONEL’S LEADERSHIP AWARD
First Sergeant Derrick Kekic
First Sergeant Kekic, who began his DWR career in 2000, returned in 2018 and quickly advanced to District 41 Sergeant in 2021 and First Sergeant for Region IV-A in 2022. His leadership was particularly evident during the January 2025 Reagan National Airport aircraft collision response, where he coordinated DWR operations within a Joint FBI-NTSB command post.
Kekic leads the Region IV Hunting Incident Investigation Team and serves as a peer support member and Internal Affairs investigator while contributing to statewide training initiatives.
OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS PROFESSIONALISM DECREE
K-9 Sergeant Richard Howald
Sergeant Howald, a Marine Corps veteran who joined DWR in 2005, helped establish the Conservation Police K-9 Program in 2011 and was promoted to K-9 Sergeant in 2022. He designed the entire training curriculum and served as lead instructor, with his expertise extending to West Virginia DNR’s K-9 Program training in 2023 and 2024.
MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL
Senior Officer Justin Chambers
On July 19, 2025, Senior Officer Chambers prevented a suicide attempt under extremely dangerous conditions. He encountered a distressed individual on a bridge above the flooded, fast-moving South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Despite a malfunctioning radio, Chambers remained calm and attempted de-escalation. When the individual began climbing over the railing, Chambers physically intervened, risking his own life to prevent the jump until additional officers arrived.
Additional Awards
Excellence in Police Service awards went to Senior Officer Corey Gardner, Senior Officer Derrick Rickels, Sergeant Matthew Meade, Officer First Class Trace Hughes, and Sergeant Matt Arnold.
Regional Officers of the Year included representatives from all four regions, with Officer First Class B. Tyler Dagliano earning both statewide and Region 1 recognition, while other regions honored officers including Tyler Thompson, Matthew Sandy, Ethan Goodman, Andrew Rohrer, Justin Chambers, and David Rogers for their outstanding service in their respective areas.
