Wilmington Resident Honored As Watercraft Officer Of the Year By ODNR Division of Watercraft
COLUMBUS, OH – Melissa Kocher of Wilmington was recently named the 2007 Watercraft Officer of the Year by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft.
Kocher is a watercraft officer specialist assigned to the Springfield area office. She was previously based at the division’s office at Caesar Creek Lake in Warren County. She was recognized for her work in patrolling southwest Ohio waterways and assisting local community organizations in support of their boating safety education programs.
She is a graduate of Westerville South High School and earned an associate’s degree in ranger services at Hocking College. She also completed the Ohio Peace Officers certified training program at Hocking College. Kocher first joined the Division of Watercraft as a part-time officer in 2000.
The ODNR Division of Watercraft administers Ohio’s recreational boating programs, including watercraft registration and titling services, and provides grants to local communities for enforcement, education and boating access facilities. Division programs are funded by a share of the state motor fuels tax, boating registration and titling fees and a grant from the U.S. Coast Guard.
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For Further Information Contact:
John Wisse, ODNR Division of Watercraft
(614) 265-6695
-or-
Jane Beathard, ODNR Office of Communications
(614) 265-6860