Who Knew Game Wardens Have
Police K-9s?
Game Warden Lance Hockett with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and his police K-9, Kodak, visit with Marcie and Lovey about their incredible daily work. Game Warden Hockett talks about how he and Kodak were trained to track humans, animals, fowl, and fish, as well as to find inanimate objects like guns, casings, gun powder and residue, cell phones and a whole lot more. Kodak was trained to perform evidence recovery and wildlife detection, and Game Warden Hockett shares some of the cases they have solved as a team, sometimes in coordination with other law enforcement agencies.
BIO:
I have served as a Kansas Game Warden since 1999 after graduating from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center and currently hold the title of Game Warden/K-9 Officer. I became a K-9 Officer in 2011 with my first partner, K-9 Meg. She retired in January 2018 and my current partner, K-9 Kodak, has been with me since he was just a few months old. Kodak and I graduated in May 2018 from a 9 week (400 hour) K-9 school put on by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Kodak is now a certified police canine in tracking, evidence recovery and wildlife detection. The most rewarding part of my job is being able to have the best partner anyone could ask for. Meg was my best friend and stellar at her job. Her retiring was really tough, but she couldn’t have passed the torch to a better replacement. Kodak has proven to be a superstar, along with his unique personality, makes going to work worthwhile.
Over the past 19 years of service, I have been awarded Wildlife Officer of the Year from Shikar-Safari Club International, Wildlife Officer of the Year from the Association of Midwest Fish & Game Law Enforcement Officers, 3 Life Saving Awards, 2 Awards of Valor, and several other departmental awards. I have assisted the Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and numerous Sheriff and Police Departments across Kansas. I serve as part of the Honor Guard team since 2009, along with being a Field Training Officer and a member of the Hunting Incident Team. I am also a part of teaching Hunter Education, Bow Hunter Education, as well as the National Archery in the Schools Program.
I grew up in Kansas; graduated from K-State in 1994 with a degree in Park Resource Management. I enjoy hunting, fishing and spending time with my family. I am passionate about my job and enjoy serving the residents of Kansas.
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism