BANGOR – Dan Murray was named Maine Warden of the Year Thursday for his work as a mentor, trainer, media spokesman and project leader. But the aspect of his job Murray said gives him the most gratification wasn’t highlighted at the Warden Service Awards Banquet, because it’s a normal part of every warden’s job.

“The most satisfying work is the successful search and rescue situation that is involved with a child or an elderly person,” said Murray of Belgrade. “They can’t fend for themselves.”

Murray said depending on the season, he can count on responding to at least one a week.

The heart-stopping search that came immediately to mind for Murray was for a young boy who vanished for five hours after wandering off two miles into the woods. Murray wasn’t the warden who found the child, who was eventually located playing in a neighbor’s yard. Nonetheless, the experience made an impression on him.

“You think about the anguish the parents are feeling,” Murray said.

Murray readily called to mind a search he was on where he helped save a man who lay unconscious in a pool of water on the frozen Androscoggin Lake in 1990. “The fog was so thick, you couldn’t see your hands. If the rescue had not gone out, the doctor said, [the man] would not have survived another 30 minutes.”

Murray, who grew up in Gardiner, is presently the primary officer responsible for deployment of the command post, the trailer that is used on urgent and difficult search and rescue missions.

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Colonel Tim Peabody said Murray was referred to by many in the service as a “warden’s warden.” His attention to detail and his ethics, Peabody said, were reasons why.

The Meritorious Service Award for conduct above the ordinary course of duty went to wardens Bill Chandler of Bingham, Scott Thrasher of the Forks, and Rick Clowry of Jackman. The Exemplary Service Award went to wardens Joel Wilkinson of Greenville, Joey Lefebrve of Somerville, Dave Simmons of Gouldsboro and Terry Hughes of Oakland.

Sgt. Greg Sanborn of Lincoln received the Distinguished Supervisor’s Award; The Rev. Steve Nute received the Colonel’s Award; Warden Kevin Anderson of East Winthrop was honored as the Maine Boating Officer of the Year by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators; and Warden Rick Stone of Poland was named the Maine Wildlife Officer of the Year by the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Curtis Cooper, who retired from the service in 1972, was named the Legendary Game Warden.

Deirdre Fleming covers outdoor sports and recreation at the NEWS. She can be reached at 990-8250 or at dfleming@bangordailynews.net.