Haskell Noyes Eficiency Award
An article from WWA’s Words From The Wardens.
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s October, 2022 eNewsletter.
DNR Marine Warden Mike Neal
Passionate. Caring. Compelling. The go-to guy for any crisis on the water or teaching in the classroom. Always responds, any time of day and even from vacations. Phenomenal, dynamic and quite candid.
And that’s just what partners outside the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources say about DNR Marine Warden Patrick “Mike” Neal, the 2021 recipient of the Haskell Noyes Efficiency Award.
Warden Mike is always ready to share his investigative techniques and safety expertise with warden teams, community groups and partner agencies, including the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, where he serves as a master instructor and a co-author of their national investigation manual. Warden Mike’s honor reflects his three-pronged service program built upon enforcement, education and community involvement.
His Door County service territory is the beneficiary of his strong dedication to patrol in all areas, including fishing, wildlife, recreation vehicle and property cases. Warden Mike had 126 calls for service in 2021. Those calls were in 54 categories, and only one had to be closed by dispatch.
“Mike’s work ethic and reliability are second to none and have been unwavering during his career,” Capt. Ben Treml wrote in his nomination of Warden Mike.
Warden Mike is heavily involved in education, including attending or conducting safety classes, as there are few safety instructors in his area. During patrol, Warden Mike uses education to gain voluntary compliance. When it comes to community involvement, Warden Mike leads here, too. He attends public relations events such as Chop and Shop with a Cop, conservation meetings, school talks, banquets, local enforcement and municipal meetings, fishing clinics, ride-alongs and youth events.
“In short, Mike has his finger on the pulse of Door County and knows where to focus,” said Capt. Treml, adding that Warden Mike is the previous Boating Officer of the Year and recipient of many life-saving awards in his 27-year career. Warden Mike also was selected as the 2021 1st Assembly District First Responder of the Year for his commitment to citizens and his diverse and selfless response to calls for service.
Warden Mike also works cooperatively with the State Archeological Society to protect and preserve underwater habitat involving shipwrecks.
“These shipwrecks attract a lot of divers, and Mike has prosecuted numerous cases involving theft and destruction of these vulnerable areas,” said Capt. Treml, adding that Warden Mike’s investigations have included illegal dumping.
Internationally known as an expert in boat incident investigation and reconstruction, Warden Mike was specifically requested by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Royal Cayman Island Police to assist and investigate a double-fatal boat incident. Warden Mike also played a significant role in a high-profile fatal boat crash on Lake Winnebago that was the recipient of a Hettrick Investigative Award.
In late August, Warden Mike received the prestigious gold pocket watch with this inscription: Conservation Warden Efficiency Award for Faithful and Able Service.