Minnesota Conservation Officers Honored for Lifesaving Actions

Several conservation officers from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will receive recognition for their remarkable lifesaving actions this month. Their efforts, which took place during the summer and fall of 2025, illustrate the dedication and quick response required in emergency situations while working in the outdoors.

Col. Rodmen Smith, director of the DNR’s enforcement division, emphasized the urgency of their work: “When officers receive a call to help someone in need, there typically is not a lot of time for planning.” Officers are often the first responders in critical situations, highlighting their dual role in protecting natural resources and assisting individuals in distress.

With approximately 150 conservation officers spread throughout Minnesota, the DNR ensures substantial coverage across the state. Some officers will be honored for their heroic actions during a ceremony on January 21, aimed at acknowledging their commitment to public safety and conservation.

Heroic Rescues in Challenging Situations

One noteworthy incident occurred on September 1, when Officer Coby Fontes worked a Labor Day shift. During his patrol, he received a distress call about a capsized boat on Lake of the Woods. Two individuals were stranded and unable to return to shore as winds pushed them further away. Fortunately, one of the men managed to keep his cellphone, which helped Fontes locate them quickly.

Responding to the call at 18:54 and reaching the stranded men by 19:14, Fontes was pleased with his swift response time given the logistical challenges involved in retrieving a boat. Upon arrival, he found one man clinging to the overturned vessel while the other was in the water, showing signs of distress. Fontes provided both men with life jackets and dry clothing, noting that one was experiencing early symptoms of hypothermia.

Reflecting on the incident, Fontes remarked, “I’m so glad they had a cellphone.” This technology played a crucial role in ensuring the men’s safety that evening.

Another significant case took place on November 8, coinciding with the first day of Minnesota’s firearms deer season. Officer Nick Bruesewitz received an urgent call about a man who had suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh. Located just five miles away, Bruesewitz rushed to the scene to find the victim in pain and bleeding.

Drawing on his training, he quickly applied a tourniquet to the injured man’s leg, which proved effective in controlling the bleeding until medical personnel arrived. The man was later airlifted to a hospital in Fargo for further treatment.

Bruesewitz expressed relief that the injury was not more severe, stating, “I’m just glad it didn’t hit the ephemeral artery; otherwise, the outcome would have been different.”

Team Efforts to Locate Missing Hunters

On November 21, Officer Brice Vollbrecht was training a fellow officer when another emergency call came in regarding a hunter reported lost on a large island in Beltrami County. With the hunter’s phone dead, locating him proved challenging. Vollbrecht and trainee Danielle Reuss responded to the call, joined by a local sheriff’s deputy with a drone.

The drone played a pivotal role in locating the lost hunter after approximately eight hours without food or water. Once they identified the hunter’s location, Vollbrecht and Reuss had to navigate the dense woods on foot to reach him. Upon finding the exhausted man, they assisted him back to their ATVs, ultimately reuniting him with his family and awaiting medical assistance.

Paramedics later noted that the man’s body temperature had dropped to 93 degrees, indicating that timely intervention was crucial. Vollbrecht reflected on the teamwork involved in the rescue, stating, “There’s nothing better than taking somebody to a waiting family, alive.”

These incidents highlight the vital work conservation officers perform, often in life-threatening situations. They embody a commitment to protecting both the environment and the individuals who venture into Minnesota’s natural spaces. As Col. Smith noted, their efforts are essential not only in safeguarding wildlife but also in ensuring the safety of those enjoying outdoor activities.