By Arkansas Game and Fish

Wildlife officer Cpl. Lyndle Crownover was recently named the Arkansas Boating Officer of the Year. Crownover, of Gassville, has been in law enforcement for 19 years and has worked more than five years as a wildlife officer for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
He is stationed in Baxter County which is home to the White River, North Fork River, Buffalo National River, Lake Norfork and Bull Shoals Lake. The river and lakes total more than 12 million visitors each year.

Since joining the AGFC, Crownover has been the driving force behind boating under the influence and boating safety efforts throughout the area. He has worked with other local wildlife officers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baxter County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies to plan routine and special law enforcement patrols on area lakes and rivers placing a high priority on BUI Enforcement.

This year Crownover issued or assisted in 44 BUI arrests; which is 53 percent of all BUI arrests for the entire state. He was instrumental in organizing efforts for Operation Dry Water in his district; he partnered with other local law enforcement agencies (Arkansas State Police, Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary); distributed flyers and made sure local media was aware of the operation.

Crownover worked 816 hours of boating patrols this year and issued 131 citations and warnings. He was credited with 89 assists. He also investigated 5 boating accidents this year. Crownover organized and taught eight boating education classes and conducted or assisted with an additional 17 public relation/school programs related to boating and water safety.

Each year Crownover assists with the annual hands-on boating education class for Calico Rock School. This event allows students to operate several types of watercraft under the direct supervision of an Officer. He participates in the “job shadow” and “mentor” programs at the Mountain Home Alternative School. He also conducts classes and training for members of the Baxter County Sheriff’s Department Boating Patrol Unit and Reserve Officer classes. He actively recruits officers from other agencies to accompany him on boating patrols to promote their interest in boating law enforcement.

Crownover also was selected this year to represent his district as Wildlife Officer of the Year. This will be the second year in a row he has been nominated as the district’s Boating Officer of the Year.

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