Minnesota Conservation Officers Honored for Lifesaving Actions

Several conservation officers from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are set to receive recognition this month for their remarkable lifesaving efforts during the year. Each officer, regardless of their years of service, responded decisively to critical situations while assisting individuals in distress during outdoor recreational activities. Their quick actions exemplify the importance of training and preparedness in emergency scenarios.

According to Colonel Rodmen Smith, director of the DNR’s enforcement division, the nature of these emergencies often requires officers to make rapid decisions without ample planning. “Time is of the essence, prompting officers to rush to a scene,” Smith stated, highlighting the commendable efforts of these officers. The DNR currently employs approximately 150 conservation officers throughout Minnesota, ensuring broad coverage for various emergencies.

Recognizing Heroic Efforts

On January 21, nine officers will be honored for their exceptional contributions. As communications coordinator Joe Albert noted, these officers not only protect natural resources but also assist individuals who find themselves in perilous situations, often through no fault of their own.

Among the officers being recognized is conservation officer Coby Fontes, who demonstrated remarkable efficiency in a recent rescue. On September 1, 2025, Fontes received a distress call regarding a capsized boat on Lake of the Woods. Two individuals were stranded, and the situation was further complicated by an evening breeze pushing them away from the shore. Fortunately, one of the men had retained his cellphone, which proved crucial in locating them.

Fontes arrived at the scene just 20 minutes after receiving the call, a commendable response time given the logistical challenges. Upon reaching the capsized vessel, he found one man clinging to the boat and the other in the water, exhibiting early signs of hypothermia. Fontes provided both men with life jackets and dry clothing, ensuring their safety until emergency services arrived.

“I’m so glad they had a cellphone,” Fontes remarked, reflecting on the technology that facilitated the rescue.

Swift Action Saves Lives

Another officer, Nick Bruesewitz, faced a different emergency on November 8, the opening day of Minnesota’s firearms deer season. He responded to a call about a man who had accidentally shot himself in the thigh while unpacking his vehicle. With only five miles separating him from the victim, Bruesewitz quickly arrived at the scene.

Using his training, Bruesewitz applied a tourniquet to the injured man’s leg to control the bleeding. Despite the injury, the man remained conscious and alert as Bruesewitz applied a second tourniquet, ultimately saving his life until an ambulance could transport him to a hospital.

Reflecting on the incident, Bruesewitz stated, “I’m just glad it didn’t hit the ephemeral artery; otherwise, the outcome would have been different.”

Conservation officer Brice Vollbrecht, who has been with the DNR since 2008, also played a vital role in a rescue operation on November 21. While training a new officer, he received a call about a lost hunter on a large island in Beltrami County. With the hunter’s phone dead and no clear location, Vollbrecht and his trainee, Danielle Reuss, partnered with local law enforcement to locate the missing individual.

Utilizing a drone, the team pinpointed the hunter’s location. However, due to the terrain’s challenges, Vollbrecht and Reuss had to proceed on foot for the final half-mile. They found the hunter, who had been stranded for nearly eight hours without food or water, in a weakened state. The officers assisted him back to their ATVs, where he was reunited with his family and given medical attention.

Vollbrecht expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts in the rescue, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and technology in saving lives. “There’s nothing better than taking somebody to a waiting family, alive,” he said, contrasting it with the tragic outcomes he has experienced in the past.

These stories of bravery and quick thinking highlight the critical role conservation officers play in safeguarding both the natural environment and the lives of individuals enjoying outdoor activities in Minnesota. As they receive their well-deserved recognition, their commitment to service continues to inspire those around them.