Grant County Sheriff's marine unit recently recognized

EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Marine Unit received three distinguished awards at the 28th Annual Marine Law Enforcement Conference in Everett on September 20-22.

The Marine Unit is comprised of two full-time deputies and 11 additional Marine Law Enforcement Operators. They provide coverage to more than 105 fresh-water lakes, the federal waters of the Columbia River, which includes three dams, and the Columbia Basin Project Irrigation system.

The Marine Law Enforcement Conference is a program designed to support continuing education and training, information and technology sharing. Conference agenda items are specifically tailored for marine police officers and U.S. Coast Guard personnel with a marine area of responsibility.

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit received:

• 2016 Silver Award for recognizing outstanding performance in establishing and improving a program for Recreational Boater Safety Education.

• 2016 Gold Award for overall excellence in Marine Law Enforcement and Boater Safety Education.

• Grant County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit Deputy Wade Hilliard was awarded Marine Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for 2016 for his extraordinary commitment and service to boating safety and the enjoyment of recreational boating in the state of Washington.

“Deputy Hilliard brings with him a passion to ensure the citizens visiting our waters have a safe and enjoyable experience on the waters of Grant County,” Special Operations Sergeant Dean C. Hallatt said.

Wade has helped develop and delivered classroom instruction on water safety education to every fourth-grade classroom within Grant County. As the lead instructor, Wade has delivered this program to approximately 2000 fourth-graders in 2016.