Sgt. Rick Sellars is honored

The man who supervises rangers with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in southwest Georgia, including Grady County, has been selected as tops in the state. Sergeant Rick Sellars is the Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Supervisor of the Year. Sellars is the field supervisor for five counties, Grady, Early, Miller, Decatur and Seminole.
This 18-year veteran of the Law Enforcement Section of the DNR has served as sergeant since 2000, and is not new to winning awards in his profession. During his career he has been awarded the state ranger of the year, state investigative ranger of the year, and twice received the Rocky Wainwright waterfowl officer of the year award.
As proud as Sellars is of his accomplishments, he also takes great pride in the many successes of his work unit. Under his supervision, he has had two officers selected as Ranger of the Year. “This (supervisor award) was more important than some of the others. Helping out these other guys means a lot to me. I enjoy seeing them doing the work and doing a good job with it,” Sellars says.
The award selection panel that selected Sellars from a field of five nominated supervisors from around the state was impressed with the actions of Sellars and his tireless dedication to his work unit, according to DNR information, which goes on to state Sellars is “very much respected as a selfless leader not only within the Law Enforcement Section, but also throughout Southwest Georgia. The associates in his work unit, as well as a fellow supervisor nominated Sgt. Sellars.”
In addition to his everyday supervisory responsibilities, Sellars is also a team supervisor on the Counter Terrorism Task Force and was the day shift supervisor during the 2007 Americus tornado response.
Sellars was instrumental in getting the first airboat in the Law Enforcement Section of DNR and coordinating airboat training with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Sellars is always willing to work with the rangers he supervises, as well as officers from other sections, according to DNR information. He has provided waterfowl samples to the Game Management Section for Avian Influenza testing, and has provided access to key areas of Lake Seminole to biologists by using Law Enforcement airboats.
Sellars is said to encourage cooperation, trust, and pride, and fosters a team spirit within his work unit.
Sellars is a 1983 graduate of Cairo High School and resides here with his wife, Lori, and their two daughters, 8-year-old Morgan and 4-year-old Mara.