A Norridgewock game warden who has worked in the area since 2010 was recently recognized as the 2015 Game Warden of the Year for his “proactive approach to warden work that goes above and beyond,” according to a press release Friday from the Maine Warden Service.
Tom McKenney started his career with the warden service in the Ripogenus Dam district, where he worked for nearly four years before moving to the Norridgewock district in 2010, the release said.
He was recognized as the 2015 Maine Game Warden of the Year at a ceremony this week at the Winslow Veterans of Foreign Wars post. The annual awards ceremony this year marked the 136th anniversary of the warden service in Maine and also highlighted other Maine wardens and those who assist them in their work, the release said.
“From the moment that Tom started his career as a Maine game warden to the present day, he has been the epitome of hard work and consistency,” it said. “Regardless of the season, time of year or weather, he starts out every day striving to make a difference and be a positive hard-working member of his section and of the Maine Warden Service.”
Also recognized at the Maine Warden Service annual awards ceremony this year were the following:
K9 Search and Rescue of the Year Award: Warden Jeremy Judd and dog Tundra, Mechanic Falls.
K9 Conservation Case of the Year Award: Warden Kris MacCabe and dog Morgan, Wilton.
Exemplary Service Awards: Game Warden Sgts. Andrew Cross, Morrill; Alan Gillis, Orrington; Bruce Loring, Enfield; Ethan Buuck, two awards, Mount Vernon; MacCabe, two awards, Wilton; Bob Johansen, two awards, Millinocket; Tony Gray, two awards, Oxford; Dave Chabot, Greene; Tim Coombs, Stoneham; Dave Ross, China; Eric Rudolph, Ellsworth; Dave Georgia, Greenfield Township; Phil Richter, Lamoine; Kyle Hladik, Millinocket; Troy Dauphinee, Shirley; Chad Robertson, Madison; Andrew Smart, Ashland; Charles Brown, Dyer Brook; and Maine State Police Trooper Jason Wing.
Maine Warden Service Association Merit Awards: Auburn Fire Chief Frank Roma, Lt. Chris Morretto and Firefighter Erik Poland.
Legendary Game Warden Award: Richard Longley, Anson.
Supervisor of the Year: Lt. Dan Scott, Hampden.
Colonel’s Award: David Delorme