The Forgotten Lawmen Part 2

The real story detailing what it's like to serve as a South Dakota Game Warden, including the countless trials and tribulations. To help educate and inform the public.

Officer McCrea is starting his eighth year of service as a South Dakota Game Warden. His status as a naïve, rookie officer is in the past. He has matured professionally and has taken on additional, high-liability endeavors such as certified firearm instructor, head range master, and use of deadly force instructor. After eight years he is bestowed with a tremendous professional honor: 1991 Wildlife Officer of the Year. Warden McCrea received this highest honor for his service to the public and developing knowledge in wildlife law enforcement. Warden McCrea's mission to enforce the state's game, fish, and boating laws will bring him into contact with dangerous and desperate outlaws. Some will try their best to harm him. One is a burgeoning serial killer. After reading his true-to-life accounts, be prepared to answer the most compelling and challenging questions Warden McCrea had to ask and reconcile every time he geared up and went on duty: Will he survive his shift? Will he make it home safely? Is he making a difference? Is the job worth the personal cost? Does anyone care?

Born in 1960 in Philadelphia. Moved to Aberdeen, SD in 1968. Attended May Overby Grade School, Simmons Jr. High, and graduated in 1977 from Aberdeen Central High School. My mentor during my high school years was Carl Dauman who taught biology and advanced biology. His encouragement and support led to my receiving the outstanding biology student award my senior year. I attended South Dakota State University from 1977-1981, graduating with a BS Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. I worked a variety of seasonal jobs, finally landing my first permanent, full-time job in Chamberlain, SD in 1982; where I was primarily responsible for fisheries management in the southern half of Wildlife Division Administrative Region 2. Over time I took on additional responsibilities, especially in the area of officer training. I wanted to write this book because I believe I have an interesting and informative story to tell. More importantly, I wanted the public to have a sense of what it means - and what it takes - to sign on as a SD game warden.