Game, Fish and Parks conservation officer Jamie Pekelder of Milbank has been named the 2009 Wildlife Officer of the Year in South Dakota by Shikar-Safari Club International.
Pekelder has served as a state conservation officer since 1999, beginning his career in Faith. He has served the Grant County district since 2000.
The Shikar-Safari Award is awarded by the worldwide conservation organization each year in all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. It has been presented to a South Dakota officer annually since 1968.