For Immediate Release
March 11, 2005
Livezey named Warden of the Year

AUGUSTA, Maine - Game Warden Bill Livezey, a game warden of 15 years, 
was
honored today when he was named the 2004 Maine Warden of the Year at 
the
Maine Warden Service 2005 Awards Banquet in Orono.

"By definition this award is given to an individual whom, in the past 
year,
has conducted themselves in such a manner as to display an exceptional
expertise in the area of conservation law enforcement, management, 
public
relations and all aspects of a Game Warden's duties," said Game Warden
Colonel Thomas Santaguida, "Warden Bill Livezey's attitude and work 
ethic
exemplifies the above statement."

Livezey was honored for the outstanding job he does in balancing his
priorities as a District Game Warden and a part time member of the 
Resource
Protection Unit. He was previously awarded a Meritorious Service Award 
in
1991 and an Exemplary Service Award in 1997. Livezey was honored for 
his
ability to conduct special, in depth investigations as part of the 
resource
protection unit. His investigations have been at the core of some of 
the
most successful law enforcement operations carried out by Maine Warden
Service the past few years.  

From the fall of 2003 to December 2004, Warden Livezey was the primary 
case
agent in a large-scale special investigation in Western Maine. His 
thorough
investigative style allowed him to gather evidence and intelligence on 
an
extensive network of night hunters, deer drivers, and all out wildlife
poachers. During this investigation, Livezey also detected resource
violations that had occurred in the states of New Hampshire and New 
York.
Due to the unpredictable and sometimes dangerous nature of the suspects
involved, a multi agency task force was assembled for the large scale 
law
enforcement operation planned to close out the investigation. Wardens 
from
Maine and New Hampshire as well as special agents from United States 
Fish
and Wildlife Service, officers of the Bridgton Police Department, 
Oxford
County Sheriffs Department personnel and Maine State Police, totaling 
more
than 100 law enforcement officers, were used what was later determined 
to be
the largest operation of its kind in Warden Service history.

Livezey was also the primary investigator on another investigation of
wildlife crimes which involved numerous suspects. He gathered evidence 
on a
tight knit group of people, some who were previously convicted of fish 
and
wildlife crimes and others whom were convicted felons. These poachers 
hunted
night and day and killed wildlife indiscriminately, often while under 
the
influence of drugs. This case resulted in eight arrests and 
approximately
200 summonses being issued. 

 Game Warden Paul Farrington of Springfield received a Meritorious 
Service
Awards for conduct above the ordinary course of duty, in which a warden
because of their initiative courage and diligence places themselves in
danger while performing an unusual task. Farrington helped rescue a 
lady
from a burning house in Lee.

Game Warden Wayde Carter and his canine buddy received the Search and 
Rescue
Canine Case of the Year award, and Warden Jeff Spencer and his canine
Bridger received the K9 Conservation Law Enforcement Case of the Year 
Award.

These game wardens received Exemplary Service Awards for rendering
outstanding service that deserves special attention: Warden Alan Dudley 
of
Easton for his investigation and subsequent convictions concerning the
killing of a moose cow and calf; Warden Mark Merrifield of Searsmont 
for his
work on the Resource Protection Unit that resulted in jail time for 
three
individuals and over $10,000 in fines; Warden Mike Favreau for his work 
in
solving the case of someone who had stolen a deer from another hunter 
while
the deer was at their camping site; Warden Durward Humphrey for his 
work in
solving a case that involved baiting deer and the use of night vision
equipment to kill deer.   

Lieutenant Bill Allen of Unity received the Supervisor of the Year 
Award for
demonstrating superior knowledge and leadership in supervisory law
enforcement and by doing so has gained the respect of fellow officers,
department employees and other agencies. Iowa Conservation Officer Brad
Baker received the Colonel's Award for providing distinguished service 
to
the Maine Warden Service. Officer Baker assisted Game Warden Sergeant 
Mike
Marshall in the days following a fatal car accident in Iowa that 
claimed the
life of Mike's wife.   Retired Game Warden Sergeant John Robertson of
Portage received the 2004 legendary Game Warden Award.

Congressman Michael Michaud was the guest of honor at the awards 
banquet.
Congressman Michaud was instrumental in procuring $500,000 for the 
Maine
Warden Service through the Office of Justice Programs Community 
Oriented
Policing Services (COPS) program. This technology grant money will be 
used
for equipping all Maine Game Wardens with computers, increasing 
efficiency
for written reports and assisting wardens in search and rescue 
operations. 
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