Switzerland Co. Conservation Officer Named District 9 Officer of the Year

Ten winners from around the state are up for the statewide award.

(Switzerland County, Ind.) - Indiana Conservation Officer Steve Kinne has been selected as the 2024 District 9 Officer of the Year. 

Kinne, who serves Switzerland County, has been a conservation officer since 1985. He served in Boone County before transferring to Switzerland County in 1987. 

He was a part of the investigative section for the Department of Natural Resources Division of Law Enforcement from 2011 to 2022 before returning to field patrol for the division.

District 9 includes Rush, Fayette, Union, Franklin, Decatur, Ripley, Jennings, Jefferson, Switzerland, Ohio, and Dearborn counties. 

The district award puts Kinne in the running for the Pitzer Award, which is presented to the top overall conservation officer in the state and is selected from the 10 district winners.

The Pitzer Award is named after Conservation Officer James D. Pitzer, who was fatally shot while investigating illegal hunting activity on January 2, 1961, in Jay County. 

More from Local News

Events

Legislators to Discuss Rising Star Casino Relocation

The first mention of relocation occurred in 2024.

2025 Rewind: Year in Review

It is time to take a look back on some of the big happenings from this year.

Great Parks' Winter Hike Series Returns in New Year

The series includes a mix of educational and challenging hikes, ranging from 4 to 5.5 miles.

2025 Sports Rewind: Year in Review

There were plenty of big moments in 2025.

Local Sports Report - December 30, 2025

Report missing stats and scores to news@eaglecountryonline.com

On Air

Eagle Country 99.3 playing
Confederate Railroad - Queen Of Memphis

Jordan Foster They All Do 11:28
George Strait Fireman 11:23
Dustin Lynch Hell of a Night 11:19
Jamie O'Neal There's No Arizona 11:15