Washington Co., WI – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the 2023 award recipients from the Division of Public Safety and Resource Protection in honor of exemplary public service.
“The recipients are walking examples to the public that the DNR is dedicated to its core mission of protecting our natural resources and those who use them,” said DNR Chief Warden Casey Krueger.
The division’s management team selected the recipients from nominations submitted by peers.
Harold D. Hettrick Investigative Excellence Award – Warden William Hankee
Warden William Hankee used his investigative expertise to determine the causes of wildland fires and collect evidence to solve a 20-year serial arsonist case involving past fires on private and public lands in Washington and Fond du Lac counties. Other DNR wardens, DNR foresters and the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation. Hankee serves with the Washington, Fond du Lac and Manitowoc Warden Team.