Riley Boykin Smith and Philip Jackson present Clinton Tyus the award for Alabama Wildlife Officer of the Year.(Contributed)

From Staff Reports

Clinton Tyus has been named Alabama Wildlife Officer of the Year by the Shikar-Safari Club International. Tyus currently serves as a Senior Conservation Enforcement Officer with the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries in Chilton County.

Each year SSCI honors one officer from each state with the award. Recently, SSCI representatives Philip Jackson and Riley Boykin Smith presented Tyus with the award at WFF headquarters in Montgomery.

Capt. Dennis Sanford, WFF District Three Law Enforcement Supervisor, said Tyus is very deserving of the award.

“Officer Tyus’ commitment to his job is unparalleled,” Sanford said. “His enthusiasm for the work and desire to make a difference is inspiring.”

Since starting his law enforcement career in Perry County in 2012, Officer Tyus has been involved in approximately 600 cases including 350 arrests, 120 warnings, 65 arrest assists and 69 warning assists – an average of 150 cases per year.

“Officer Tyus exemplifies the concept of teamwork,” says Lieutenant Cliff Robinson, WFF District Three Law Enforcement Assistant Supervisor. “That was evident very early on in his career. While at the police academy, Clint noticed one of his peers struggling with the rigors of the program. The officer was ready to quit, but Clint was able to encourage him to finish the academy and graduate.”

Due to his exceptional work ethic and rapport with his fellow officers, Tyus has recently been chosen to train new recruits in the field.

In addition to his duties with WFF, Officer Tyus has been called upon to assist various other state and local law enforcement agencies with special cases, including the search for a possible homicide victim on the Cahaba River in Dallas County. Tyus has also assisted Bibb County authorities with the search for a murder suspect in a nearby national forest.

Officer Tyus is deeply committed to community outreach. Since joining WFF he has participated in hunter education classes, the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop, the National Archery in the Schools Program, Exceptional Anglers fishing events, Wounded Warriors, and Classroom in the Forest programs.

Tyus is a member of the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association, Fraternal Order of Police, National Wild Turkey Federation, Maplesville Future Farmers of America Advisory Board, and is a Royal Ambassador teacher at Plantersville Baptist Church.

“No matter the assignment he is ready and eager to get the job done,” Robinson said. “He is truly one of our best officers.”

The SSCI is an international conservation organization that funds and supports a variety of conservation projects and scholarships around the world.  In addition to recognizing outstanding officers in wildlife conservation, the SSCI also provides a $20,000 death benefit to the officer’s family in the event the officer is killed in the line of duty.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit outdooralabama.com.