Spruce City Wildlife loses beloved Conservation officer

Photo: Legacy.com

Sgt. Stephen William Ackles of the Prince George Conservation Service

A beloved Prince George conservation officer, Sgt. Stephen Ackles, has died at 59.

"Steve was new to the area in the last few years, but made an immediate and positive impact on the presence and did his best to 'change the vibe' that was traditionally cast upon COs," the Spruce City Wildlife Association says in a Facebook post.

"He made a point to attend every public event that he could, or to have one of his hard-working officers 'show the flag,' as he would say," it continues.

Ackles passed away on Monday, with his wife by his side.

He is being remembered as someone who believed it was important for the public to feel conservation officers are approachable, and that anyone who cares about the backcountry and wildlife are on the same team. He would show up to the Spruce City Wildlife Association meetings pre-pandemic and hang out with the team as friends.

"Never to lecture, but to just take part in SCWA because he believed in what we were doing, and wanted to lend his support and assistance where he could – whether it was from a personal, or professional level," the SCWA post continues.

Ackles was well known in the community.

"Always one that was just a phone call away, he definitely made a positive impression on every one of us that were lucky enough to have dealings with him," adds the SCWA.

Read Ackles' obituary here, or the family asks to make a donation in his name, in lieu of flowers.

" ... Or simply grab a fishing rod, head outdoors, and spend some time with a loved one enjoying what beautiful BC has to offer," the family says in his obituary.