2019 ODFW Prosecutor of the Year Awards, Dec. 16

On December 4, 2020, Jackson County Assistant District Attorney Melissa Leritz was presented the 2019 Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division Wildlife Prosecutor of the Year Award. The award itself consists of a wildlife print, which includes an engraved plaque that was underwritten by the Oregon Hunters Association. The award is sponsored by the Oregon Sportsmen’s Coalition, and was our 13th annual presentation of the award. The prosecutors we work with play an integral role in helping combat wildlife crime by working to help bring those to justice who choose to disregard our state laws. Assistant DA Leritz was selected for her outstanding work in 2019, and was specifically nominated for her ability to prosecute any fish and wildlife case that comes to her office, and for her availability any time of day or night. Assistant DA Leritz is described as not only caring about her job, but also caring about the resource. She has shown dedication and passion toward the prosecution of those committing fish and wildlife crimes, and despite her increased work load at the District Attorney’s Office, she continues to request to be lead on fish and wildlife crimes. Assistant DA Leritz also works actively with the Rogue Valley Team by putting on educational training to keep them current with case law. Please join us in congratulating Assistant DA Melissa Leritz for her outstanding work in 2019!