                                                  2020  Harry and Florence Croft

 Harry N. Croft and Florence Croft are another husband and wife team that were nominated as a team and also individual commitment to the Hunter Education program. Both have over 29 years of experience as volunteer instructors with over 2000 hours of instruction. Coming from the Wheeling area have taught Hunter Ed in three counties. Harry is the founding member of the Ohio County Hunter Education team. Florence has been serving with her husband since the beginning of the program. Their positive attitude has been the main reason for the successes of their team. This positive attitude has been the reason they have recruited other new members of the team and this also retains them. Even though Harry is the lead instructor; Florence has taken it upon herself in supporting her husband to do all of the paperwork and keeping the team’s scheduled classes and training running smoothly. Harry has worked most all of his life, working his way through College, graduating from International Bible College in San Antonio, TX. He also has a 29-year career as a Deputy Sheriff, and now a pastoral position at the Wheeling Mar-Win Church of the Nazarene. A list of their accomplishments and interests are listed below.Harry Croft• Two-time recipient of the WVHEA – District 1 Instructor of the Year• Life member; NRA, WV Bow Hunters Assoc., Wildlife League of Ohio County,Police Marksmanship Assoc.,• Whitetails unlimited• WV Deputy sheriff’s Assoc.• Gold Medal Winner of his High School Rifle Team• National Certified Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor• 4-H Shooting Sports Archery Instructor • National Archery School Program Instructor• 3-D Archery and Bench Rifle Competitor • National Bowhunter Education Instructor• Past State President of WV Police Combat Pistol League – 20 Yrs. Competitor + several years as Governor’s Top 20• Recipient of Wildlife League of Ohio County’s Lifetime Achievement Award• Twice Honored as Ohio County Deputy of the Year• Nominated for the Carnegie Hall Medal following an on-duty incident Ohio County Sheriff’s Department• Honored by Wheeling Civic Council w/ Resolution of Bravery following an incident causing him injury• Master Bowhunter Award from WVBHA• Bear and Moose Guide for Hunting Camps in Ontario, Canada• Involved with NWTF Youth Hunts• Worked for Chevron Energy Youth Trout Stocking Day at Bear Rock Lake• Member of his Missionary Team through the Church 6 different countries over 10 years• He has 42 Yrs. In Law Enforcement: Commissioned Deputy Sheriff assigned to Texas Governor John Connelly’s Office, Beaver County, TX at the 1968 World Fair,3 Yrs. With Wheeling Police Reserves with the rank of Captain, Deputy US Marshall assigned to ATF Drug Task Force undercover officer, Retired Major Crimes Detective OCSD, Currently 8-Yr. member of the Ohio County Homicide Cold Case Task Force.• After 29 Yrs. with Ohio Co. Sheriff’s Department, upon retirement was Honored with a plaque from the US Postal Authority, the Governor’s Office & President George W. Bush

Florence CroftFlorence has been serving with her husband since the beginning of the program. She is the heart and soul of the Ohio County Hunter Education Program. Though we see other husband and wife teams inducted into the WVHEHOF, one can only imagine what an honor it is for them to be recognized both individually and as a Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor team. 
• Works also with her husband doing missionary work around the world• Member Wheeling Mar-Win Church of the Nazarene with her family• Balances not only her family’s life with the work of the church, but also balances her volunteering as a HE Instructor, but works closely with and backs-up her husband and their successes as Instructors on the WVHE Team