In February, Cpl. Roberson was named Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division’s 2014 Boating Officer of the Year for his exceptional work on Lake Sidney Lanier. Recently, he got the word that he has been named Officer of The Year by the Southern States Boating Law Administrators Caucus (SSBLAC), one of the three regional associations within the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), which represents 20 southern states and territories. This fall, he will represent Georgia as one of only three finalists nationwide for the NASBLA’s “Butch Potts Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year” Award to be presented at its annual conference.
“We are very proud of Jason and the outstanding work he does at (Lake) Lanier,” said DNR Law Enforcement Director Colonel Eddie Henderson. “I’m not surprised he won the SSBLAC award. His work ethic and track record speak for themselves and I believe he has good chance of picking up the national award.”
Roberson has been very successful in enforcing Boating Under the Influence (BUI) laws and pursuing those who participate in illegal drug activity. Getting those dangerous boaters from the water on a lake as busy as Lanier is extremely important to public safety.
In addition to his expertise in boating law enforcement, he is also highly-skilled in Search and rescue (SAR) operations. In 2014, he conducted 15 SAR missions, several of which included victims needing immediate medical attention. During the cold 2014 winter, he assisted in the double body recovery of two missing boys in an ice-covered cove on Lanier. The ice had to be broken up before search efforts could begin.
In the Division’s Northeast Georgia Region, Cpl. Roberson is a mentor younger Rangers and in the community, he works with the Gainesville/Hall County Safe Kids Coalition where he gave fourteen water safety programs to target-aged children.
When nominating Cpl. Roberson for the state award, his supervisor, Sergeant Mike Burgamy stated, “When it comes to ensuring the safety of Georgia’s boating public, Jason is top-notch. He is a professional that exhibits fair and unbiased enforcement, education where applicable, compassion when needed, and dedication always,” he stated.
Upon hearing of Cpl. Roberson’s SSBLAC win, DNR Commissioner Mark Williams said, “Jason has proven he is committed to public safety and will be an outstanding representative for Georgia DNR and our Law Enforcement Division. I wish him the best at the national level.”
Cpl. Roberson has been with Georgia DNR law Enforcement for 14 years and resides in Dawson County.
For more information on boating safety and education, visit http://www.gadnrle.org/node/66.
