HARRISBURG, Pa. (August 5) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is pleased to announce several awards presented to members of the Bureau of Law Enforcement.  These achievements were recognized publicly during the PFBC Board of Commissioners quarterly business meeting on July 27, 2026, in Harrisburg.

The Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association Officer of the Year Award was presented to WCO David Raulfs, whose district includes Wyoming and southwestern Susquehanna counties in the Northeast Region.  In 2025, WCO Raulfs’ exemplary law enforcement efforts included the continued investigation of a significant pollution event on Roaring Brook, Lackawanna County.  Raulfs’ above-and-beyond efforts in this investigation outside of his home district led to a significant settlement which will result in improved stream quality and fish habitat.  Additionally, Raulfs became a PFBC firearms instructor, participated in a pilot program for law enforcement e-bikes, presented a high number of outreach and education programs to local anglers and boaters, and conducted trout stocking operations on 38 Stocked Trout Waters throughout the Northeast Region.  Raulfs is a 2016 graduate of the PFBC’s H.R. Stackhouse School of Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety.

The NASBLA Boating Officer of the Year Award was presented to WCO Luke Walter, whose district includes western Erie County.  In 2025, Walter’s exemplary law enforcement efforts included 47 days of onboard boat patrols and conducted over 350 boat boardings in an effort to promote compliance with safety regulations. Walter participated in Operation Stonegarden which is a federally funded initiative administered through the U.S. Border Patrol aimed towards enhancing maritime and shoreline patrols along Lake Erie.  Walter’s conducted targeted patrols within Presque Isle Bay and the PFBC’s Walnut Creek Access, which is one of the busiest boat launches in the Commonwealth, and conducted numerous educational outreach events to emphasize boating safety in his district.  Walter is a 2023 graduate of the PFBC’s H.R. Stackhouse School of Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety.      

The Gerald L. Greiner Environmental Protection Award was presented to WCO Derek Norman, whose district includes Clinton and western Lycoming counties in the Northcentral Region.  This award is presented annually to the WCO who best exemplifies the ideals of ‘Resource First’ – the protection, conservation, and enhancement of the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources.  In 2025, Norman investigated nine environmental incidents within his region resulting in significant settlements that will benefit local aquatic resources.  Norman responded to multiple disturbance violations on both public and private property, and through a close partnership with local Department of Environmental Protection and County Conservation District staff, resolved landowner concerns and restored the disturbed sites.  Norman is a 2022 graduate of the PFBC’s H.R. Stackhouse School of Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety.

The Top Gun Award was presented to WCO Kyle Robinson, whose district includes Mifflin and northern Huntingdon counties in the Southcentral Region.  This award is presented annually to a WCO who displays outstanding effort in the detection and apprehension of impaired boaters.  In 2025, Robinson’s exemplary law enforcement efforts included 30 days of onboard boat patrols, 764 boardings, and nine arrests for Boating Under the Influence (BUI).  To further enhance his BUI detection skills, in 2025, Robinson participated in an Advanced BUI Detection and Enforcement Training.  This is the fourth consecutive year Robinson has received this award.  Robinson is a 2020 graduate of the PFBC’s H.R. Stackhouse School of Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety. 

Lifesaving Awards were presented to WCOs Matt Kauffman (northern Westmoreland, southern Armstrong, and southern Indiana counties), Abigail Luteri (western Armstrong County), Michael Johnson (central Allegheny County), and Matthew Scott (western Allegheny County), in the Southwest District.  On May 24, 2026, while patrolling the Allegheny River in the City of Pittsburgh, Kauffman and Luteri were in the vicinity of the 7^th Street Bridge when they heard a splash in the water and realized an individual had jumped from the bridge into the river.  Recognizing the emergency, Kauffman used his radio to contact Johnson and Scott for assistance.  Kauffman and Luteri worked in unison to maneuver a patrol boat into a rescue position, Luteri deployed a rescue aid into the water, and Kauffman physically secured the distressed individual.  With Johnson and Scott’s assistance, the individual was brought onto the patrol boat and transported from the scene to receive medical treatment.  

A Lifesaving Award was presented to WCO Noah Grice, whose district includes Venango County in the Southwest District.  On May 24, 2026, while on patrol on U.S. Route 62 in Sandy Lake, Mercer County, Grice encountered a motorcycle accident and observed an unresponsive individual who had suffered severe head trauma.  Grice directed a witness to call 911 and worked with another bystander to apply pressure to the head wound.  While awaiting an ambulance to arrive, Grice felt the victim lose their pulse and immediately began to perform CPR chest compressions.  Grice’s quick response and effective CPR helped the individual regain a pulse before the individual was transported to a hospital for additional care.  

LINK TO PHOTOS (All Courtesy PFBC)