DeKalb County resident Tommy Stockling has been named the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) part-time Boating Officer of the Year for 2012.Nick Luper was chosen as Boating Officer of the Year.Both officers serve the TWRA in Region III’s District 31.Stockling is a resident of DeKalb County, while Luper lives in White County.The officers were presented the awards at the May meeting of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission.Director Ed Carter presented Stockling with the award.The recipients were announced by TWRA Boating and Law Enforcement Division Chief Darren Rider.TWRA District 31 encompasses 12 counties in northern Middle Tennessee, including DeKalb, and has popular boating and fishing destinations.Luper inspected nearly 600 vessels for compliance with Tennessee boating laws in 2012.He issued 43 citations and 69 warnings, and arrested 19 operators for Boating Under the Influence (BUI).He took the lead in boating accidents, including three which resulted in fatalities.He was involved in the rescue of a pair of fishermen from a disabled vessel and made numerous other assists to boaters who were stranded because of mechanical failure.Active in boating safety education, Luper taught six courses and monitored more than 160 exams.He also trains wildlife and boating officers in boat operations and BUI procedures.Luper is active in public outreach in the Upper Cumberland area. He is responsible for scheduling and setting up the TWRA BUI simulator at public functions to demonstrate the dangers associated with alcohol and boating.He initiated a media event on Center Hill Reservoir in preparation for Operation Dry Water.Stockling is a member of the agency’s part-time boating officer program.As part of his duties, he inspected almost 3,000 vessels for compliance with Tennessee boating laws in 2012, often as boaters prepare to launch their vessels.He performed courtesy inspections to see that the vessels were in compliance, and gave boaters the opportunity to correct any infractions.Stockling issued 49 citations and 31 warnings, and made two BUI arrests.He also assisted boaters who were experiencing various problems.Stockling's education efforts included teaching a pair of boating safety classes and assisting with other classes.He worked with the Free Fishing Day events to promote boating safety, and worked with a Center Hill Reservoir marina staff and customers to hold a BBQ event to help assist families of military personnel at Fort Campbell.