AFWA and NFWF Honors its 2025 Guy Bradley Award Recipients

October 2, 2025

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) recognized two individuals as this year's winners of the Guy Bradley Award at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Association in Tucson, Arizona.

The Guy Bradley Award recognizes one state agency and one federal agency wildlife enforcement officer whose dedication and public service to protecting the nation's natural resources demonstrates outstanding leadership, excellence in implementation, knowledge, and actions that have advanced the cause of wildlife conservation. This year's recipients are Col. Kevin Jordan, Chief of Law Enforcement with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, and Erryl Wolgemuth, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Assistant Special Agent in Charge.

"The prestigious Guy Bradley Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a lifetime of exceptional service in wildlife law enforcement, made a lasting impact on their communities and states, shown unwavering dedication to others, and exemplified outstanding leadership," said Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and President of the Association. "Colonel Kevin Jordan and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Erryl Wolgemuth are exemplary leaders in conservation law enforcement, and we are proud to honor them as this year's Guy Bradley Award recipients. Their remarkable careers and steadfast commitment to protecting our natural resources truly embody the spirit of this award."

"Effective conservation of wildlife depends in large part on the leadership and professionalism of wildlife law enforcement officers such as Kevin Jordan and Erryl Wolgemuth," said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. "Their tireless efforts to advance enforcement capabilities will leave a lasting legacy for conservation in the United States."

Colonel Kevin Jordan, with over 35 years of law enforcement service, including 23 years in supervisory roles, exemplifies dedication, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to public service in conservation and policing. Colonel Jordan is a model of professionalism and leadership, widely respected by his peers, the public he serves, and elected officials at every level. His unwavering integrity, strategic vision, and hands-on approach have earned him deep admiration across the law enforcement community and beyond.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Erryl Wolgemuth has made significant contributions to wildlife law enforcement through a series of impactful investigations targeting illegal trafficking and resource exploitation. He has consistently demonstrated his ability to identify critical resource threats, foster inter-agency collaboration, and devise comprehensive investigative strategies. His tireless commitment to wildlife protection and collaboration has resulted in notable successes in combating illegal trafficking and enhancing resource conservation efforts. These achievements exemplify his leadership and expertise within the realm of wildlife law enforcement.

The Guy Bradley Award: In 1905, Guy Bradley, a Florida game warden, became the first wildlife law enforcement agent killed while performing his duties to protect the nation's wildlife. Law enforcement agents like Bradley are essential to virtually every aspect of wildlife conservation, from recovering endangered species to managing waterfowl and big game resources.

In honor of Guy Bradley, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation established a national award in 1988 to recognize individuals for achievements in wildlife law enforcement. The award focuses on activities which directly aid or advance the law enforcement goals and mission of state and federal fish and wildlife agencies. It is an opportunity to recognize those officers who put their life on the line for wildlife during their careers. As of 2024, this award is presented in partnership with the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

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The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America's fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations. Working together, the Association's member agencies are ensuring that North American fish and wildlife management has a clear and collective voice.