Local DNR officer gets national recognition from agency

CLARENDON COUNTY - Persistent, positive and professional with a "can-do" work mentality were just a few of the monikers used to describe the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' 2021 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Lance Col. Blake Baxley, an officer with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

"Blake exemplifies what we strive for in conservation officers," said SCDNR Col. Chisolm Frampton. "He is an outstanding representative of the agency's Law Enforcement Division. We are extremely proud that his accomplishments were recognized by the chiefs of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. To be selected as the Officer of the Year from among all of the association's 16 member states is an extraordinary accomplishment."

Baxley followed in his father's footsteps when he became a game warden in 2015.

"I had 27 years with DNR Law Enforcement," said Baxley's father, Tim Baxley, now in his second term as Clarendon County sheriff. "When I left, I was captain of staff operations for DNR's Law Enforcement Division. I had a total of 33 years, two months with my time in the South Carolina Highway Patrol. I'm in my 38th year in law enforcement now."

With his K-9 partner, Arya, at his side, Baxley has been involved in more than 30 deployments in 2021. These deployments resulted in a variety of cases, including night hunting, renegade hunter act violations, dove violations, waterfowl violations, trespass to hunt turkey and turkey baiting violations.

In 2020, Baxley and Arya worked more than 448 hours together. Last year, Baxley also reported 344 violations, assisted with 56 other cases, conducted 184 hours of boat patrols, inspected 534 boats and checked 230 fishermen and 717 hunters. Baxley also completed 249 hours of night patrol, provided eight public presentations and spent 129 hours assisting other agencies.

Along with his other duties, Baxley assists with the Pintail Partners hunt in his area on Federal Youth Waterfowl Day. This annual event lures more than 80 youth annually and gives them a first-class waterfowl hunting experience.

Baxley is active in his community as well. He's an avid cook and assists an agency support team in cooking for various award ceremonies and functions throughout the year.

Baxley serves in SCDNR's Region 3, which includes 12 counties: Clarendon, Sumter, Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland and Saluda.