DERBY — The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has announced that Lt. Jason Batchelder has been named the new director of fish and wildlife law enforcement. Batchelder will begin the role of Colonel this week, filling the position vacated by Col. David LeCours who retired in October.
Batchelder grew up in Derby. He worked for the U.S. Coast Guard in Virginia and Alaska for four years before graduating from the University of Southern Maine in 2001 and from the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council Academy in 2005. He currently lives in Morrisville with his wife and two young children. Batchelder is an avid hunter, angler and runner.
He has been with the department for ten years, working most recently in the Morrisville area, first as a field warden and then as the lieutenant for the northeast district since 2013.
“I am pleased and excited that Lt. Batchelder will be our new head of law enforcement,” said Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Louis Porter. “During his time with the department, Lt. Batchelder has developed a reputation among his co-workers and with the general public of energetically, meticulously, and fairly pursuing fish and wildlife violators.”
Porter also emphasized Batchelder’s knowledge and experience in his selection for the position.
“Lt. Batchelder has a deep understanding of the vital role that law enforcement plays as part of the department’s overall mission,” said Porter. “Lt. Batchelder’s calm, thoughtful demeanor will be an important asset to the department in this position.”
