Tuesday, April 2, 2013 • Eagle Lake’s VonHelf is named BLM Ranger of the Year

Publisher’s note: This story originally appeared in the Tuesday, April 2, 2013 edition of the Lassen County Times.

Darrin VonHelf, a law enforcement ranger with the Bureau of Land Management’s Eagle Lake Field Office in Susanville, has been named Bureau of Land Management Ranger of the Year for 2012.

VonHelf was recognized for his efforts building multi-agency working relationships, serving as a field-training officer and participating as a member of the bureau’s ceremonial honor guard.

“Your efforts to foster strong working relationships across jurisdictional and organizational lines demonstrate a keen understanding that no single ranger can accomplish our mission. Success requires partnerships at all levels,” said Salvatore Lauro, Bureau of Land Management’s national director for law enforcement and security, in an award letter. “Your service as a field training officer underscores your commitment to ensuring future generations of bureau rangers are prepared for the job at hand; and your willingness to serve on the Bureau of Land Management’s Honor Guard highlights the importance you place on honoring the sacrifices made by our fallen brothers and sisters in law enforcement.”

Ken Collum, manager of the bureau’s Eagle Lake Field Office, commended VonHelf for building and maintaining community relations.

“Darrin maintains good relationships with public land users, providing information and assistance,” he said. “At the same time, he carries out law enforcement duties in a highly professional manner.”

VonHelf joined the Bureau of Land Management in 2007 and was first assigned to the Barstow Field Office in Southern California. He moved to the Eagle Lake Field Office in Northeast California in 2011.

Prior to joining the bureau, he was a deputy with the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department.