LITTLE FALLS — Conservation officer Shawn Wichmann from Slayton received the Boat and Water Safety Achievement Award from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Wichmann’s work covers thousands of acres of water including Lake Shetek.

The award is given to individuals whose actions have resulted in lives being saved, that can be through direct action or going above and beyond in their line of work to keep people safe.

“Whether people are boating recreationally, or fishing and hunting, the waterways in Shawn’s area see extensive pressure,” Col. Rodmen Smith, DNR Enforcement Division director, said in a press release. “He does an excellent job of being visible in the area and making sure people are keeping themselves and others safe while they enjoy the water.”

Wichmann loved the outdoors since he was young. His parents remember him wanting to be a conservation officer when he was 8 years old. Today, his favorite part of the job is the variety — in the summer it’s fishing; in the fall it’s hunting season. Every day is different.

Wichmann credits his neighboring officers Dustin Miller and Corey Palmer for helping him in some of the issues taking place at Lake Shetek. He also appreciates his wife, Nicole, for 20 years of support in his work and encouraging him to go in when he can.

“I wouldn’t be able to do my job if it wasn’t for her,” Wichmann said.

Another man he credits is former game warden Floyd Ragan, who Wichmann met at a hunting party at 13. When he was 16, Wichmann gave a tip to Ragan about some animal poachers. The next day, he witnessed Ragan stopping those poachers. Seeing a game warden and conservation officer ready to listen to the community and get his hands dirty for what’s right meant a lot to him.

“My biggest pet peeve, (the idea that) you can never get a hold of a game warden. I will always be available working on and off the clock,” Wichmann said.

During the fishing season, Wichmann does focus on reducing instances of people boating while intoxicated.

“People overlook the risk they take with boating, when people get in a boat they don’t think it (drinking) is as important of a concern,” Wichmann said. “A lot of people aren’t experienced, different wave actions, a lot of multitasking when driving, you’re everywhere, that makes things complicated.”

Now that he has received the award, Wichmann’s going to continue to do what hes been doing since 2005 when he first started work as a CO — being present. Helping people when they need it, and going above and beyond.

“Being out there working with people and protecting the resources and stopping the folks that are cheating,” Wichmann said.