Photo by Meghan Marchetti.
Virginia Conservation Police Officer Matthew S. Sandy has been selected for the prestigious honor of The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Butch Potts Memorial Award, also known as the Boating Officer of the Year for 2017.
Officer Sandy’s outstanding efforts in boating safety education and boating law enforcement, as well as his dedication to training as a member of the Boating Cadre, were all an integral part of his selection. Sandy is assigned to Mecklenburg County.
“Matthew engages in numerous boater education opportunities in and around Lake Gaston and Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir), where he uses his expertise to provide instruction and education to the public. His knowledge and understanding of the boating laws make him a very effective enforcement officer as well as an instructor and mentor for our new officers,” said Major Scott Naff, Law Enforcement Assistant Chief of Operations for DGIF.
Officer Sandy has served the boating community in Southside Virginia since 2008. In 2017, Officer Sandy led his district in detecting and arresting boat operators who were under the influence of alcohol and participated in teaching seven boating safety courses. He works closely with the Lake Gaston Water Safety Council as well as Dominion Power on issues surrounding the lakes in his district. Sandy is a certified criminal justice instructor and serves on the agency’s boating training cadre.
During 2017, Sandy directed his attention to rock collision issues that were a safety issue he recognized behind the Lake Gaston dam. Sandy contacted Dominion Power and worked with them on the issue. Dominion, in turn, will be placing Danger Buoys to properly mark this hazardous zone to the boating public. These buoys have been approved and are awaiting placement.
“While I am extremely pleased with the work of all of our Officers, it brings me great pleasure to congratulate Officer Matthew S. Sandy for receiving the NASBLA Boating Officer of the Year award. Officer Sandy’s well-deserved recognition reflects his outstanding commitment and dedication to the citizens of the Commonwealth, the Agency and Virginia’s boating public.” DGIF Executive Director, Bob Duncan.
NASBLA is a national nonprofit organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety.