SOCIAL CIRCLE - The lead state investigator in a deadly boating accident on Lake Lanier last summer that left two young brothers dead has been named Boating Officer of the Year by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Cpl. Shawn Elmore recently was recognized for his "outstanding performance" as a boating safety officer.
"The work that Cpl. Elmore has done in the area of boating law enforcement, and especially in leading boating incident investigations, is a great example for all of our conservation rangers," says Col. Eddie Henderson, chief of law enforcement. "He shows great attention and care to detail and works diligently to further the boating safety message to the public."
In addition to his regular duties as a conservation ranger, Elmore is part of the Critical Incident Reconstruction Team. As part of that assignment, he was placed in charge of the largest investigation occurring on Georgia waters last year. The investigation centered on a case on Lake Lanier that resulted in the loss of two young lives after their family pontoon was struck by another vessel.
This case would take him several hours from his "home" base office and area of work and involved more than 230 hours of work to reconstruct and document. It was noted that Elmore's "expertise, training and experience" in the field of boating safety were "instrumental" in the development of the reports on this case.
The accident prompted passage by the state Legislature this year of tougher boating laws.
A Cumming man, Paul J. Bennett, was charged in connection with the accident. Hall County District Attorney Lee Darragh said in December that Bennett, who was 44 at the time of his arrest last summer, is scheduled to go on trial May 20.
Bennett is charged in a June 18 collision that killed 13-year-old Griffin Prince and his 9-year-old brother, Jake, both of Buford. He faces charges including first-degree homicide by vessel and boating under the influence.
Other boating safety-related activities by Cpl. Elmore this past year included a concentrated effort to enforce and educate the public on the Etowah River about personal floatation device usage and requirements, teaching boating incident investigation to recruits at the Conservation Ranger Academy, presenting at boating information and education events, and designing and implementing the drowning investigation course taught at the Academy.
Elmore will receive recognition from the Southern States Boating Law Administrators Association (SSBLAA) this spring, and will be a candidate for further honors from SSBLAA. He also is eligible for the Butch Potts "Boating Law Enforcement of the Year" honor from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.
For more information on boating safety and education, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/boating .
Thursday
August 7th, 2025
2:37PM
