The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division dedicated a flagpole in memoriam of a former LDWF cadet at the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Training Academy today, May 30 in Baton Rouge.
The flagpole is being dedicated in memory of Byron Dore who was a part of the 23rd LDWF Academy Class when he passed away at the age of 24 in 2008. The Dore Family, the McIlhenny Company and the Louisiana Wildlife Agents Association donated the money to erect the flagpole.
“Future cadets will be reminded of Byron when they use this flagpole every day during their training to raise and lower the American and Louisiana flags,” said LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet. “I’d like to thank the Dore family, the McIlhenny Company and the Wildlife Agents Association for donating the funds necessary to make this happen and to let Byron’s memory live on at the academy.”
Dore was about halfway through his LDWF training to become an agent when he drowned in Iberia Parish on his weekend off from training.
“By all accounts Byron was well on his way to a successful enforcement career with the department before his life ended tragically,” said Col. Sammy Martin, head of the LDWF Enforcement Division. “From listening to those that knew him personally, his classmates and his training officers he had a love for the outdoors and a strong work ethic. Those two characteristics usually make good wildlife agents.”
The Byron Dore Memorial Flag Pole is planted in front of the new Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement Training and Emergency Response Complex at the Waddill Outdoor Education Center off North Flannery Road in Baton Rouge.
The LDWF Training Academy is mostly used for the six-month cadet academy as well as in-service training for veteran agents. At the academy, cadets train to enforce the state's recreational boating laws, the state and federal wildlife and fisheries laws, and general law enforcement work on the state's many wildlife management areas. The academy also covers general law enforcement training required for all state law enforcement officers.