Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Thomas Flaitz was recently named Officer of the Year for the Department of Environmental Conservation Region 8 by his fellow law enforcement officers. Officer Flaitz is assigned to a patrol area which encompasses Orleans and Genesee Counties. In addition to regular patrol duties for the two-county area, Flaitz is a firearms instructor, a field training officer and a heavy duty diesel vehicle emissions inspector.

"Tom's dedication to his profession, and his community are exemplary. This recognition is well deserved and places him in a field of other outstanding officers around the state under consideration for the 2001 statewide officer of the year," said Chief Environmental Conservation Officer, Captain Don Snell.

Flaitz is also the DEC hunter education county coordinator for Orleans County where he teaches classes in his patrol area. In 1995 he won the first annual Hunting and Conservation Officer of the Year Award presented by the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, Inc. for his work with the hunter education program.

ECO Flaitz is a member of New York Conservation Officers Association (NYCOA) and has been in charge of fundraising to support youth camps, fishing derbies, scholarships and various other projects by NYCOA since 1996. He is the Orleans County Representative for the New York bow-hunters where he helped start the first New York bowhunter's youth camp in 1993.

Flaitz also was instrumental in coordinating the first annual "Youth Turkey Hunt" earlier this year at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. He is a member of the Holley Rod and Gun Club, Barre Sportsmen Club, Sportsmen's Archery Club of St. Mary's, New York State Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and a life member of the National Rifle Association. Having served in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1975, he is also a member of the American Legion.

Flaitz resides in Orleans County with his wife. They have two sons and three grandchildren.