Thirteen new game wardens graduated May 9 from the Advanced Warden School at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. From left are William Gormely, Matthew Norcia, Joseph Socobasin, Melinda Rugg, Bobby Brennan, Isaiah Dyer, Avery Boucher, Joshua Theriault, William Nicholas, Joshua Lugdon, Matthew Tenan, Kevin Richards and Nicholas Bartholome. Submitted photo

VASSALBORO — Thirteen new game wardens graduated May 9 from the Advanced Warden School at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

These wardens are headed into the field, and have been assigned districts throughout the state.

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Judy Camuso was one of the featured speakers at the graduation.

Others were Maine Warden Service Col. Dan Scott, Advanced Warden Service Academy Cadre Josh Polland, Game Warden Mark Hutcheson, Passamauoddy Game Warden Chief Bill Nicholas and class speaker Game Warden Matthew Tenan.

These wardens completed a 12-week academy that focused on subject matter specific to the Warden Service, including search and rescue, fish and wildlife laws and regulations, boating, fishing, hunting, ATVing and snowmobiling. This course is in addition to the 18-week Basic Law Enforcement Training Program required of Maine law enforcement officers.

Game Warden Joshua Polland was the lead cadre for the Advanced Warden School; the cadre staff included Game Wardens Kale O’Leary, Megan Orchard and Chad Robertson.

The 13 new game wardens, and their assigned district, are as follows.

Maine Game Wardens

Joshua Theriault: Strong

Matthew Tenan: Lubec

Melinda Rugg: Rumford

Matthew Norcia: Appleton

Isaiah Dyer: Belgrade

Avery Boucher: Farmington

Kevin Richards: Patten

William Gormely: Millinockett

Nick Bartholomew: St. Zack

Joshua Lugdon : Springfield

Passamaquoddy Tribal Wardens

Cole Nicholas

Joe Socobasin

Bobby Brennan

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