Longtime conservation officer James Schreck was named the District 8 Officer of the Year by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources on Monday.

Schreck, a conservation officer for 17 years, becomes a finalist for the annual Pitzer Award, given to the top state conservation officer chosen from among 10 districts.

The award honors the memory of James D. Pitzer, an officer who was shot and killed investigating a hunting case.

Although based in Harrison County, Schreck’s district covers Jackson County and nine other counties in south central Indiana.

Schreck has worked in the field as a K-9 handler, cave rescue team member, public relations officer and field training officer and performed other duties for the department.