PLEA honors FWC officer Kyle Yurewitch with Distinguished Service Award

Yesterday, the Park Law Enforcement Association honored Officer Kyle Yurewitch with the 2019 Distinguished Service Award during its awards banquet at the annual conference at the DeGray Lake Resort State Park in Arkansas.

The annual award recognizes a state law enforcement officer’s exceptional service, above regular duties, to park law enforcement and to the community. 

Officer Yurewitch is a highly regarded officer who has been serving Collier County since 2017. He is a member of the FWC’s Field Training Officer program, training, motivating and mentoring new officers.

“Officer Yurewitch is an asset to FWC and to the citizens and natural resources of the State of Florida,” said Col. Curtis Brown, director of FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement. “His commitment to public safety is outstanding, and I’m proud to have him representing our agency as PLEA’s Distinguished Service Award honoree.”

Officer Yurewitch facilitates monthly meetings to collaborate with internal and external local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to identity trends in maritime criminal activity, address seasonal fisheries and share assets. He is now one of FWC’s certified airboat operators and instructors, allowing him to patrol in remote areas of the county and region as well as respond to emergency calls for service within state parks.

In conserving the resources of Florida and the safety of people enjoying these resources, FWC officers work closely with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to provide law enforcement services in the state’s 164 state parks and nine state trails.

“DEP tremendously values the dedication and diligent work of FWC officers like Officer Yurewitch,” said DEP’s Interim Deputy Secretary of Land and Recreation Shawn Hamilton. “The safety of our visitors at state parks and trails are of the utmost importance. We thank FWC’s continued service and partnership as we serve the state of Florida together.”

To enhance safety and support positive experiences for visitors to Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park during the 2019 Easter weekend, Yurewitch coordinated with other officers to strategically patrol the area. The efforts resulted in several warnings, citations and a DUI within the boundaries of the state park.

In 2019, Yurewitch was also awarded the Coastal Conservation Association – Naples Chapter’s Officer of the Year award for his dedication to the conservation of Florida's marine resources.