Lawmakers offer tribute to western UP conservation officers

A pair of conservation officers from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are being recognized for risking their lives to save others.

State Representative Greg Markkanen presented the special tributes from the state to Officers Zach Painter and Jenni Hanson at the DNR office in Baraga on Saturday.

The tributes were issued by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, State Senator Ed McBroom and Markkanen.

On the evening of February 9^thunder extreme weather conditions consisting of snow, ice and remote terrain, the officers risked their personnel safety in successfully rescuing four stranded snowmobilers in Ontonagon County.

Painter said the two conservation officers were only part of a multi-agency team involved in the rescue effort.

Hanson said conservation officer academy training prepared the officers well for the incident they responded to.

For more information on the incident, click here.