Koppen receives Officer of the Year

MISSOULA – Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Game Warden Bill Koppen received FWP's Officer of the Year award at the Missoula County Exchange Club's 46th Annual Officer of the Year Banquet. Koppen was among nine other officers from other city, county, state and federal agencies in Missoula County who received the award.

Banquet Committee chair Larry Anderson said the purpose of the banquet is to honor area law enforcement officers. It has also become a major fundraiser for the Exchange Club allowing them to support their many programs including the Sheriff's Youth Camp at Camp Paxson and the Parenting Place in Missoula.

The Exchange Club purchased the meal for the officers and their guests at the banquet and gave each awardee a plaque, medal, ribbon for their uniform, a gift certificate from the Montana Club and other gifts.

"The Exchange Club appreciates the community support and we want to make sure the residents know that they have some pretty outstanding people working in law enforcement serving the community and enjoy living up here too," said Anderson.

Koppen at age 64 is the oldest FWP game warden out of around 120 in Montana. He has spent the last 31 years as a conservation law enforcement officer, 24 of which were in Seeley Lake. His district is nearly 150 square miles. He has received the Exchange Club Officer of the Year award once before as well as a National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award in the early 1990s for his work on the Fetterer case in Great Falls, Mont.

Captain Joseph Jaquith nominated Koppen for the award. Koppen said there were a number of reasons for the award.

First Jaquith credited Koppen with cutting down on the road hunting in Seeley Lake by starting the decoy program.

"It really has put a stop to a lot of poaching and violations for road hunting," said Koppen.

Koppen said when he started the decoy program his biggest concern was people shooting out of vehicles. At least 60 percent of the stops he makes using the decoy are for shooting out of a vehicle.

"It is totally illegal. There is no reason for people to be shooting out of vehicles, shooting over the vehicle, over the hood, out of a pickup [bed] or out the windows," said Koppen. "It is a safety issue for one and then it is unethical."

The second reason Koppen was chosen was because he ranked in the top tier for the physical fitness impact test.

"Staying in shape is huge for law enforcement," said Koppen who completed the test in four minutes. "You don't have to take it but it is actually a good test of how good you are doing."

Third, Koppen said he has made the transition to computers, carrying a Tuff book and printer in his truck instead of the old notepad and pen.

"It's just a different system," said Koppen. "I'm old school and I had to learn new school. My wife [Kim] said to just learn it since you are being told to do it."

Finally, Koppen said Jaquith recognized him for all his work on the Rice Ridge fire in 2017.

"I did a ton all summer on the fires here," said Koppen. "I stayed in the smoke, shutting the lake off, talking to the people and keeping everything going."

At the banquet, Jaquith also mentioned that Koppen is one of the few law enforcement still working on horseback. Koppen said the state has three horses that he takes into the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

Koppen appreciated all of the work the Missoula County Exchange Club put into the banquet. He thought that the blessings of the medal by a pastor and a prayer for the law enforcement officers were a really nice addition to the ceremony.

"I really appreciate that people take the time to recognize law enforcement," said Koppen. "Law enforcement is a hard job and to be a game warden in Montana is just as hard as anything because of the wildlife treasure and outdoor treasure. It needs to be protected. We can never go without game wardens."

Koppen mentioned how much he appreciates that uniqueness in Seeley Lake where the Sheriff's Office, Highway Patrol, US Forest Service, BLM and FWP Game Wardens all work together.

"We'll back up everybody and assist anybody," said Koppen. "Thank you to all the agencies."

Koppen added he is grateful for his wife Kim and two children Jordan and Lindsey. He said without them he never would have been able to do what he does. This sentiment also goes for his dogs, the late Polar Bear and his current dog Jazzy.

"I've always had a dog," said Koppen who added that being able to have a dog in the field with him was one of the reasons he went to work for FWP.

Finally, Koppen is thankful for the public keeping an eye out and helping him do his job.

"I still love it, I'm still doing it and I love protecting the animals and keeping it fair," said Koppen who appreciates the people he has worked with and his supervisors. "I hate poaching and if you can help in any way call 1-800-TIPMONT or call me. It's been a good career and it's still going."