The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has named Conservation Police Officer Austin Priest its Illinois Conservation Police Officer of the Year, the second year in a row he has received the honor.

IDNR said it recently recognized conservation police officers across the state for acts of bravery, compassion and distinguished service to the people of Illinois during the 2025 calendar year.

"One of IDNR's greatest strengths is our conservation police and support staff, and I am proud and honored to work alongside them," said IDNR Office of Law Enforcement Director Jed Whitchurch. "Public outreach, excellence in performance and leadership are the ethos these honorees live by. Thank you to all who serve the public and protect Illinois' wildlife and natural resources."

Officer of the Year

Priest, who serves in District 9, Central Zone, was recognized for enforcement work that included 49 field reports, 100 citations, 144 warnings and multiple felony drug, driving under the influence, operating under the influence and warrant arrests, IDNR said.

Along with major deer investigations and search-warrant assistance, Priest twice responded to lifesaving incidents while off duty. His honors include the 2025 Officer of the Year, the Award of Merit, the Lifesaving Award and the Illinois State Police Director's Award.

Awards of Merit

IDNR said Awards of Merit recognize sworn law enforcement personnel who have made outstanding achievements as public ambassadors for IDNR and conservation police, and who consistently perform their duties with skill, diligence, productivity, judgment and responsibility. Seven conservation police officers received the award:

  • Officer Logan Clayton, District 11, Central Zone — Leads his district in enforcement activity. In 2025, he apprehended five suspects in three deer-hunting cases involving motor-vehicle violations, including one that resulted in a $9,000 fine.
  • Sgt. George "Chris" Johnson, District 9, Central Zone — Has spent 16 years advancing timber enforcement. He chaired the department's timber committee, helped rewrite key timber laws, developed digital investigative tools and trained officers statewide.
  • Officer Dalton Kuffel, District 6, Northwest Zone — Handled cases involving night hunting, an alligator and endangered-species seizure, and illegal fish shocking that led to vessel forfeiture and multiple convictions. He also serves as an evidence officer.
  • Officer Amanda McKune, District 13, Southern Zone — Issued more than 240 citations in 2025 and developed cases resulting in substantial civil penalties. She also supports statewide investigations.
  • Officer James Olroyd, District 12, Southern Zone — Conducted a four-month investigation that uncovered more than 100 wildlife violations involving a Florida resident illegally hunting in Illinois, along with felony resource-theft and permit-fraud offenses.
  • Officer Dustin Taylor, District 15, Southern Zone — Led what IDNR called Illinois' largest environmental crime investigation, coordinating a multi-agency response to a major oil spill. His work resulted in search warrants, the discovery of radioactive dumping and a grand jury indictment charging 16 felonies.
  • Officer Steven Vasicek, District 16, Southern Zone — Has spent 25 years specializing in nighttime wildlife enforcement. He mentors new officers and trains conservation police academy recruits.

About IDNR

IDNR was established in 1925 as the Illinois Department of Conservation. Today its work includes management of about 400 sites across Illinois, conservation police, fisheries and forestry, Lake Michigan water allocation, the issuance of licenses and permits, the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta and the Illinois State Museum. More information is available at dnr.illinois.gov.

Source: the original release