A local face is among the newest class of Natural Resources Officers now serving across Ohio.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) officially commissioned nine new officers on Friday during a ceremony at its headquarters in Columbus, marking the completion of the agency’s tenth Natural Resources Officer Training Academy.
Among them is Brandon Gamble, a Bellefontaine native who has been assigned to Indian Lake State Park.
Gamble will now help protect one of the region’s busiest outdoor destinations, known for its boating, fishing, and year-round recreation.
He is a former National Guard member who served as a Border Patrol Agent in Arizona for 18 months before this post.
Natural Resources Officers serve as commissioned peace officers responsible for enforcing laws across Ohio’s state parks, forests, waterways, and nature preserves.
Here are the new Natural Resources Officers, along with their hometowns and first assignments:
- Ethan Beekman, Peebles, Ohio — Scioto Field Office
- Hunter Dearsman, Green Springs, Ohio — East Harbor State Park
- Julia Ennemoser, Columbia Station, Ohio — Cleveland Field Office
- Brandon Gamble, Bellefontaine, Ohio — Indian Lake State Park
- Dinah Hay, Bellevue, Ohio — Sandusky Field Office
- Courtney O’Donnell, Ravenna, Ohio — West Branch State Park
- Eric Persing, Loveland, Ohio — East Fork State Park
- Tiffany Stright, Ashtabula, Ohio — Punderson State Park
- J.P. Wesley, Columbus, Ohio — Alum Creek State Park
In addition to law enforcement, they take on roles as educators and first responders, assisting with search and rescue missions, natural disasters, and water safety.
ODNR Director Mary Mertz praised the new class, calling them the next generation of leaders in Ohio’s outdoors and highlighting the discipline and dedication required to earn the role.
Chief Glen Cobb added that officers wear many hats, from law enforcement to public education, and said the group demonstrated strong teamwork throughout their training.
The new officers began their journey in August at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy, completing basic peace officer instruction before moving on to specialized ODNR training.
That included hands-on work in vessel operation, ATV use, advanced firearms, communications, and self-defense.
Now officially commissioned, Gamble and his fellow officers will continue field training alongside veteran officers in their assigned areas, gaining real-world experience in protecting Ohio’s natural resources and the people who enjoy them.
ODNR recently achieved accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, a national standard recognizing excellence in public safety practices.
The agency oversees 76 state parks across Ohio and was recently recognized as the top state park system in the country, earning the 2025 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.
