ODNR officers sent to help with search and rescue efforts following floods in New Mexico
Six Ohio Natural Resources Officers were deployed to New Mexico to assist with search and rescue efforts in response to severe flood events.
The team was deployed on Friday, according to ODNR.
“We feel for the people of New Mexico and want to send our best resources to keep everyone there safe,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “Our Natural Resources Officers will be an invaluable part of rescue efforts, putting their training to good use to help save lives.”
ODNR says Captain Michael Sterwerf, Sergeant Eric McCune, Officer Richard McCullough, Officer Paul Lallier, Investigator Troy Newman, and Officer Kevin Peters, are “highly trained” in swift water rescues and will be serving in Mora County where recent forest fires have accelerated flooding risk.
“I am proud of these officers,” ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft Chief Glen Cobb said. “They embody the core values of duty, safety, service, adaptability, and professionalism as they selflessly travel across the country to aid in this effort.”
This is the first out-of-state-deployment of Natural Resources Officers since 2008.
