New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens today announced that the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association (NYSRPA) named Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Scott Marshall the New York State ECO of the Year.

“DEC’S Environmental Conservation Officers are on the front line daily in their efforts to protect our wildlife, natural resources and citizens,” Commissioner Martens said. “Throughout his career, ECO Marshall has demonstrated outstanding service that has earned the respect of both the public and his peers. I extend my congratulations to him on this well-deserved honor.”  

NYSRPA recognizes one ECO each year, acknowledging the important role that ECOs play in hunter education and safe firearm practices. NYSRPA is the state’s leading organization in promoting rifle marksmanship and competition and has been dedicated to firearm safety, education and marksmanship since 1871. Officer Marshall was nominated by a statewide committee of New York State ECOs to receive this recognition.

ECO Marshall originally hails from Erie County and completed his undergraduate studies in Criminal Justice at Hilbert College and Buffalo State College. After service as an ECO in Suffolk County for four years, he transferred to Erie County in 2000, where he has served with distinction since.

Well known in the sporting community for his consistent professionalism, dedicated service and commitment to youth education, ECO Marshall has instructed at over 150 hunter education classes throughout his career, reaching more than 6,000 youths and adults. In addition, since he first initiated DEC Region 9’s youth waterfowl and pheasant hunts, more than 150 youth participants have enjoyed learning firsthand the importance of safe hunting practices and conservation stewardship through mentored hunts.

In addition to coordinating DEC Region 9’s youth hunts annually over the last decade, ECO Marshall recently organized DEC Region 9’s first NYS Conservation Police Operation Injured Soldier Spring Turkey Hunt, enabling injured soldiers to experience a guided turkey hunt at no expense.

ECO Marshall is a certified Defensive Tactics Instructor, Physical Training Instructor, and Field Training Officer. He routinely collaborates with other law enforcement agencies to instruct defensive and law enforcement trainings. He recently participated in Region 9’s first extended arrest warrant detail which is now being used as a model in other regions.

In his spare time, ECO Marshall is an avid turkey and waterfowl hunter and also raises pheasants. He resides in East Aurora, Erie County, with his wife and two children.