LCRA Ranger Chatt Cottle accepts his award for Marine Safety Officer of the Year for Texas at a ceremony at Texas Parks and Wildlife headquarters in Austin on Aug. 23. Pictured from left to right are Col. Craig Hunter, TPWD Law Enforcement Director; Ranger Cottle; Scott Boruff, TPWD Deputy Executive Director; and Carter Smith, TPWD Executive Director. View larger image.

Cottle was recognized for his promotion of safe boating practices through the enforcement of the Water Safety Act and intoxication laws on public waters. He was honored during an Aug. 23 ceremony at Texas Parks and Wildlife headquarters in Austin.

“Chatt has proven himself to be a valuable member of our team,“said Sgt. Len Snyder, Cottle’s supervisor. “He made a seamless transition from enforcing laws on land for DPS to enforcing laws on the water for LCRA. He not only uses his training and experience to investigate safe boating and alcohol offenses on his own, he also mentors his peers on investigating alcohol offenses on the water. He is a hard worker and we’re very pleased he’s on the LCRA team.”

The Marine Safety Officer of the Year award is given annually to a Texas peace officer chosen for professionalism, outstanding achievements and dedication to enforcing the Water Safety Act. In naming Cottle as this year’s recipient, the Parks and Wildlife Department cited Cottle’s work enforcing boating while intoxicated laws and hosting both formal and informal training sessions for his fellow officers, prosecutors and the public.

Cottle, 37, joined LCRA in November 2010, after working for the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas attorney general’s office. He normally works on Lake Travis.

“I really enjoy the community service side of police work,” Cottle said. “I love working to keep people safe.”

Mothers Against Drunk Driving also is recognizing Cottle for his work enforcing intoxication laws on area lakes. He will receive the Commitment Hero award from MADD on Sept. 21 in Austin.