2008 Boating Officer of the Year

Ranger First Class Byron Young has been selected as this years 2008 Georgia Boating Officer of the Year.  RFC Young is assigned to Bartow County and also patrols the lakes and rivers in Region I.

 To give just a snap shot of RFC Young's accomplishments in 2008, he provided eight ride-a-longs for the Atlanta news media, worked with Safe Kids of Cherokee County to provide 120 infant and children's Personal Flotation Devices to give out on the water during patrols. He was responsible for eight Boating Under the Influence arrests, was involved in twelve search and rescue missions and responded to 36 stranded boaters who called for assistance due to mechanical and navigation light problems over the past year which occurred at all times of the day or night.

During his time with the Department, RFC Young has seen firsthand the tragic effects of drownings and body recovery. Byron, realizing the need for specialized equipment, worked with a Lake Allatoona fishing guide to have a high-definition sidescan sonar donated and installed on a law enforcement patrol boat for emergency use. He successfully used the sonar on 14 different occations to locate items for the FBI, search and rescue, night navigation, body recovery, and even found a sunken boat from the '70s.

RFC Young will receive recognition from the Southern States Boating Law Administrators Association (SSBLAA) this spring, and will be a candidate for the SSBLAA and the National State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) 2008 Butch Potts Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year honors.

For further information on this award call 770-918-6408.