New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Andrew McCormick of Binghamton, Broome County received the 2014 “Officer of the Year” award from the Shikar-Safari Club International in a ceremony hosted by long-time Club member Robert Stackler.

            “This award is a well-deserved honor for ECO McCormick and it demonstrates his true commitment to protecting our state’s natural resources,” said Acting Commissioner Marc Gerstman. “Officer McCormick works every day in his role at DEC to enforce the state's environmental conservation laws focusing on Fish and Wildlife and I congratulate him on this recognition from Shikar-Safari Club International.”

            ECO McCormick grew up in Steuben County and attended the State University of New York, School of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Forest Biology with a concentration in Wildlife Biology. He attended and graduated from the 14th Basic Academy for Uniformed Officers, a 26-week residential police academy held at SUNY Oswego in 2002. After graduation Andy was assigned to Region 7 and has patrolled Broome County his entire career.   McCormick’s primary responsibility is enforcing New York’s Environmental Conservation Law. This includes investigating hunting, fishing and trapping activity; releases of petroleum, asbestos and other hazardous substances; pesticide use; water pollution; wetland damage; timber theft; and wild animals unlawfully kept as pets.

            ECO McCormick was recognized for numerous successful fish and wildlife investigations including several large investigations involving the unlawful taking of deer and bear. He additionally was recognized for a long-term investigation for the unlawful use and applications of pesticides.

           ECO McCormick is heavily involved in the NYSDEC Sportsmen’s Education program; not only does he perform his duties as an ECO but he attends classes each year and instructs students. For the past six years, ECO McCormick has spearheaded numerous bowhunter safety classes as the lead instructor, instructing the first ever hunter/bowhunter combination class in Broome County. McCormick has also been instrumental in efforts to assist in gaining funding with a local archery club in assisting disabled veterans to provide them hunting and sporting opportunities locally in the southern tier area. McCormick additionally participates, on his own time, as a mentor in numerous youth turkey and pheasant hunts to provide guidance to young sportsmen and woman lacking a family member or adult to take them afield.

           ECO McCormick is also a competitive tournament archer having competed in local, state and national archery competitions, and regularly acts as an instructor to youths taking up the sport of archery. His professional work ethic and commitment to his profession resulted in him being nominated and receiving the Shikar-Safari Club International Officer of the Year award.