A native and current resident of McCreary County has been chosen as Kentucky’s National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) Officer of the year. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Joseph “Joey” Braden was selected by the NWTF State Board for the award.
In selecting the recipient of the award, the NWTF considers a combination of attributes such as the ability of being able to investigate and document illegal activity, dependability, professionalism, willingness to work with other divisions in the department as well as other law enforcement agencies, enthusiasm, positive attitude, willingness to participate in public relations, and good case involvement.
“I’m not only thankful to have been nominated at the district level but also thankful that I was then selected by the NWTF state board for this award,” Officer Braden said. “It’s a great honor especially when there are many other officers who worked hard and deserve this award as well.”
Braden, who is a 2009 McCreary County graduate and is married with two sons, was drawn to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife because of his love of hunting and the outdoors.
