New Wildlife Officer Assigned to Muskingum County

COLUMBUS, OH – Jeffrey R. Berry, 44, of  Zanesville, Ohio will be assigned as a new state wildlife officer in Muskingum County.

Officer Berry is one of 11 new wildlife officer cadets who have been undergoing extensive training and were sworn in as commissioned state wildlife officers during ceremonies June 29 in Columbus.  He began his new duties the following day.

Following completion of the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training course May 4, the cadets had eight weeks of specialized training by the Division of Wildlife. In addition to wildlife law enforcement procedures and agency policies, the cadets received training in areas of wildlife and fish management, communications, ATV and watercraft operation, hunter safety, and advanced firearms and self defense topics.

As a state wildlife officer, Berry will have statewide jurisdiction to enforce wildlife regulations, investigate allegations of waterway pollution, protect state property, and make arrests. He will also conduct educational programs, perform fish and wildlife management duties, and advise landowners on dealing with wildlife. Wildlife officers serve an important role as a point of contact with law enforcement and other agencies on topics of mutual interest, providing assistance and expertise.

“We look forward to having Jeff as part of our team in southeast Ohio,” stated Mark Hemming, District Four manager in Athens, Ohio.  “As a resident of Muskingum County he already knows the area well, and this will be a great asset to him in working with the residents there.”

Berry is a 1986 graduate of Zanesville High School in Muskingum County. In 1988, he received an associate degree in applied science parks, recreation, and wildlife from Muskingum Area Technical College.

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