XENIA, Ohio — Two Ohio wildlife officers have been nationally recognized for their outstanding work in cracking a high-profile deer poaching case, becoming the first Ohio recipients of a prestigious conservation law enforcement award.
Officers Isaiah Gifford and Matt Roberts of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife were honored with the Pope and Young Club’s Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Award at the organization’s recent convention in Glendale, Arizona. It marks the first time in the award’s history that two officers have received the honor jointly.
The officers were recognized for their investigation into Christopher J. Alexander, 28, of Wilmington, who illegally shot an 18-point trophy white-tailed buck in November 2023. The extensive investigation led by Gifford and Roberts resulted in Alexander’s conviction on 14 counts related to the poaching case. In December 2024, Alexander was ordered to pay $35,071.73 in restitution—the highest penalty for a single deer violation in Ohio history.
The Pope and Young Club, a nonprofit dedicated to conserving North America’s big game species and promoting bowhunting ethics, presents the law enforcement award biennially to officers who demonstrate exceptional dedication to protecting wildlife.
Officer Gifford, 26, of Zanesville, began serving Clinton County in 2023 after graduating from the Wildlife Officer Training Academy and earning a degree in criminal justice from Pensacola Christian College. Officer Roberts, 44, of Greenfield, has worked with the Division of Wildlife since 2003, serving Highland County since 2022 after a long tenure in Clinton County. He holds degrees in wildlife and forest management from Hocking College.
The Division of Wildlife emphasizes that public involvement is critical in protecting Ohio’s natural resources. Residents can report suspected wildlife crimes anonymously by calling 1-800-POACHER (1-800-762-2437).
For more on Ohio’s conservation efforts, visit wildohio.gov.
