Maryland Natural Resources Police recognized their officers at an annual ceremony, with two receiving the Medal of Valor for extraordinary courage. The awards highlighted rescue efforts including responses to the January airline collision and various water emergencies across the region.
Conservation law enforcement officers from Maryland were celebrated for their outstanding service and heroic actions during the Maryland Natural Resources Police annual recognition ceremony held February 25 at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz and Natural Resources Police Colonel Orlando Lilly presented the awards, honoring officers for their exceptional work in conservation enforcement, water safety, and courageous rescue operations.
“Our dedicated Natural Resources Police officers truly exemplify what it means to be public servants,” said Sec. Kurtz. “They demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Maryland’s people and natural resources, respond with courage in moments of crisis, and represent the Department of Natural Resources with pride and dignity. We celebrate their achievements and express our deep appreciation for keeping our communities, lands, waters, and wildlife safe.”
The top honor went to Corporal Timothy Fabian, who earned the 2025 Officer of the Year award. Fabian, a DNR veteran since 1991 and the most experienced officer in the agency’s Western Region, was recognized for his outstanding enforcement achievements, life-saving interventions, mentoring of junior officers, and active community involvement. His proactive approach has led to numerous successful prosecutions of wildlife and fisheries violations, while his teaching at the academy helps shape future conservation officers.
Captain Andrew Wilson was formally recognized for his promotion from Lieutenant last April 30, now leading the Strategic Planning Division within NRP’s Executive Services Bureau.
Two officers received the agency’s most prestigious recognition – the Medal of Valor – for displaying extraordinary courage in life-threatening situations.
Corporal Andrew Felsecker earned the medal for his response to the January 2025 mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. As one of the initial rescue divers on scene, Felsecker faced dangerous water temperatures, floating debris, fuel contamination, and hazardous materials while searching the submerged wreckage for survivors.
Officer Ryan Kalbaugh also received the Medal of Valor for his February 2025 response when a side-by-side vehicle crashed through the ice at Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County. Learning that someone remained trapped underwater, Kalbaugh immediately dove into the freezing lake wearing only an exposure suit, successfully extracted the victim, and began life-saving measures before medical helicopter transport to a trauma center.
Seven officers earned Awards of Merit for extraordinary life-saving efforts: Officers Coby Blum, Brian Chillas, Christopher Crable, David Deems, Caleb Demerritt (Metropolitan Police Department), Joy McClintock, and Donald Medtart.
Blum and Demerritt were honored for their October 2025 intervention with a suicidal individual near a Western Maryland overpass. The officers built trust with the man through shared interests, ultimately persuading him to step back to safety and accept medical evaluation. Blum received a second Award of Merit for his May 2025 response to an armed person threatening himself and others, successfully de-escalating the situation and ensuring the individual received proper medical care.
Chillas and Deems were recognized for their August 2025 rescue of a bicyclist who suffered cardiac arrest on a trail at Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area. Their quick response, successful CPR efforts that restored the victim’s pulse, and coordination with emergency medical services proved crucial in saving the man’s life.
Crable and Medtart earned recognition for their September 2025 response when a recreational crabber fell into the water at Sandy Point State Park. The officers immediately located the unconscious victim and alternated performing CPR until emergency crews transported her to a hospital where her pulse was restored.
McClintock was honored for her role during dangerous May 2025 flooding in the Savage River watershed in Garrett County. She conducted over 30 door-to-door evacuations in remote areas without radio contact, cell service, or backup support, navigating waist-deep floodwaters and damaged roads. She later performed welfare checks and helped deliver essential food and medical supplies to affected residents.
“Throughout 2025, the men and women of the Natural Resources Police reinforced our mission of protecting people, communities, and natural resources through safety, trust, and shared stewardship,” said Col. Lilly. “I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished to strengthen public trust, safeguard our lands and waterways, and protect the people of Maryland. Our state is safer because NRP is on patrol.”
Officer First Class Evan Stiles from the Eastern Region was named Conservation Officer of the Year for his comprehensive natural resource protection work. Stiles’ diverse enforcement activities span public lands, shellfish harvesting, wildlife inspections, commercial fishing, recreational fishing and crabbing, forestry, hunting, and oyster operations. His 2025 accomplishments included resolving multiple abandoned vessel cases, prosecuting crop damage violations, uncovering illegal deer harvests, and investigating harassment of nesting birds and fraudulent hunting blind reservations. Stiles also maintains strong community connections through regular participation in youth programs and educational events.
Officer First Class Allison Higgs of the Southern Region received the Boating Safety Officer of the Year award. Higgs logged more than 1,100 hours on water patrols, leading her region in vessel inspections, boater interactions, and maritime enforcement actions. She has developed strong relationships with waterfront property owners, marine businesses, and recreational boaters, frequently earning praise for her professional service.
Corporal Andrew Cummins was named Support Services Officer of the Year for his leadership in NRP’s drone program, enhancing the agency’s emergency response and enforcement capabilities. Cummins also serves as both a Tactical Flight Officer and Tactical Boat Operator.
Master Marine Technician Jeffrey “Scott” Lord earned the Professional Staff Member of the Year award for his expertise in maintaining and repairing marine engines across NRP’s boat fleet.
Additional awards included Corporal Vincent Artrip as Fishing and Boating Services Officer of the Year and Lieutenant William Davis as Maryland Park Service NRP Officer of the Year.
Eleven personnel received Superintendent’s Commendations: Corporal Vincent Artrip, Officer Thomas Burt, Corporal Lakeram Chhaturam, Officer Dylan Coster, Officer David Deems, Sergeant Jessica Felsecker, Corporal Amelia Hunt, Police Communications Operator Denise Jaskulski, Corporal Brian Walter, and Officer Adam Willey.
Several Unit Citations recognized group achievements, including officers from Garrett and Allegany counties for their flood response in Westernport, officers from Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties for striped bass enforcement standardization, Communication Center Squad 2 for their coordination during the January airline collision, the Underwater Operations Team for their response to the same incident, the In-Service Training Unit for Active Attack response training, and the Response Team Unit for their work on numerous high-profile incidents that saved lives and enhanced public safety.