COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio Wildlife Officer Supervisor Bill Bullard was recently recognized as the 2021 Association of Midwest Fish & Game Law Enforcement Officers (AMFGLEO) Officer of the Year, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Officer Bullard has served as an Ohio Wildlife Officer since 1993. He was honored for his achievement during the Ohio Wildlife Council’s July meeting.

AMFGLEO was founded in 1944 and has 23 member agencies from the U.S. and Canada. AMFGLEO helps wildlife enforcement organizations develop and maintain training for officers, discuss new issues, and foster working relationships.

Officer Bullard, from Columbus, graduated from Centennial High School and then The Ohio State University. He began his career in public service in 1989. From 1989 to 1992, he worked in a seasonal position for the ODNR Division of Watercraft, and then as a creel clerk for the Division of Wildlife. He graduated from the 1993 Wildlife Officer Academy. He was first assigned to Lake County and then transferred to Licking County in 1996. Officer Bullard served in Licking County until 2012, when he was promoted to a supervisor in central Ohio.

Passion and dedication to conservation are leading motivators for Officer Bullard’s career. He has developed and maintained strong relationships with communities, non-government organizations, and government entities during his time serving Ohioans. In addition to his supervisor role, Officer Bullard is a mentor to new wildlife officers, and is a member of the officer support team.

This past year, Officer Bullard assumed additional responsibilities to sustain operations in central Ohio while his counterpart was deployed overseas and other colleagues were reassigned. Officer Bullard maintained the responsibilities for several positions along with his regular duties during this time.

The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. The visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.