                                                     2018 Ret. Sgt. Vernon Nosse

Ret. Sgt. Vernon Nosse of Bridgeport, was nominated to the WVHEHOF for 46 years of service and over 3500 hours of instruction. He has instructed classes throughout 17 of the 55 counties of the state. As a regional training officer, he was very efficient in seeing to it that his instructors always had what they needed to conduct their classes. Vernon for a time was the Regional Training Officer in more than one district at a time; this was no easy task but was efficient in carrying out his duties. He was a 4-H Shooting Sports Shotgun instructor certifying many students throughout the state to become instructors and range officers. He would facilitate other DNR officers and coordinate them with many organization’s shooting events. He conducted sporting clays shooting stations for the 4-H Shooting Sports, NWTF/J.A.K.E.S. and W.I.T.O. events, as well as other organizations events, introducing hundreds of children, as well as women to the shooting sports; while helping them to get more knowledge. As an RTO he always encouraged the instructors to recruit new instructors and to become facilitators to keep the Hunter Education Program growing and running smoothly. He would always encourage his instructors to do more and call them up to support other lead instructors when their teams needed help. If you ever needed anything on short notice he always made it happen, right on time. Whenever an instructor had a problem, he’d encourage them to keep doing their best and offered to help remedy the situation. Sgt. Nosse also teaches Certification for Concealed Carry Instructors, as well as Concealed Carry classes. He has worked with the state 4-H Camps and their 4-H Shooting Sports program; teaches Boy Scouts of America Camps and instructors and church groups. He also teaches Glock Armor classes. Even after his retirement from the West Virginia DNR, with many years of service to the WVHEA, he continues to attend quarterly meetings offering to help the association in any way he can. Other areas of involvement are listed below; demonstrating his dedication and commitment to the WVHEA mission.
· United States Army 1967-1971 • WVDNR 1972-2011
· Hunter Safety Instructor 1972-present • Law Enforcement Trainer (LEPS)
· Member Fraternal Order of Police Mountaineer Lodge # 78, Life Member
· Member WV Sportsman & Firearms Association
· Member Salem Rifle & Pistol Club • Member Practical Shooting Assoc.
· Life Member WV St. Rifle/Pistol Association
· Life Member Glock Shooting Sports Foundation
· Life Member National Skeet Shooting Association
· Member International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors
· NRA training Counselor & Instructor (Chief Range Safety Officer, Advanced Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Home Firearm Safety, Refuse to be a Victim, Personal Protection in the Home and Personal Protection Outside the home.