January 21, 2013
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation established a national award in 1988 to recognize individuals for achievements in wildlife law enforcement, focusing especially on those activities which directly aid or advance the law enforcement goals and mission of state and federal fish and wildlife agencies.
This award is given in the spirit of Guy Bradley, the first wildlife law enforcement agent killed (1905) while performing his duties to protect the nation's wildlife. This program is an opportunity to recognize those officers who put their life on the line for wildlife during their careers.
Each year, a number of awards are presented to worthy recipients by a variety of agencies and organizations. The Foundation's award, however, seeks to recognize extraordinary individuals who have made an outstanding lifetime contribution to wildlife law enforcement, wildlife forensics, or investigative techniques that warrant national recognition.
An award is presented to one state and one federal recipient each year. Nominations for the Guy Bradley award are typically requested by January, with recipients notified of the award by the end of February. An official presentation of the award usually occurs in March.