The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Tuesday it has graduated 18 new officers, including Scott Sumpter and Michael Morrison, both of whom will serve in Charlotte County.

FWC officers patrol Florida’s woods and waters, state forests and state parks, and often are the first to respond to boating accidents, missing boaters and lost campers, hikers and hunters. Each year, FWC officers save around 1,000 people during search-and-rescue missions, according to a prepared statement.