WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) – Chad Mathes of Garrison, Texas, was sworn in at the Texas A&M Forest Service headquarters in College Station this week and is now the agency’s newest Law Enforcement Investigator.
Mathes brings a high level of experience to this elite group, with over 20 years of investigation experience in law enforcement as well as a Master Peace Officer certification, which is “the highest Texas Commission on Law Enforcement proficiency certification a peace officer can obtain in Texas,” according to Texas A&M Forest Service Chief Law Enforcement Officer Connor Murnane.
“A well-seasoned investigator, Chad has a knack for staying up to date on current crime trends and provides a high level of customer service to victims of these crimes,” Murnane said.
Law Enforcement Investigators are, as stated by the Texas A&M Forest Service, “commissioned peace officers responsible for enforcing state laws, investigating wildland arson and protecting the timber resources that are vital to the Texas economy.”
Last year, the department investigated 149 wildfires by examining data from factors such as weather conditions and burn pattern indicators, determining if there was cause for a criminal investigation, and taking the appropriate measures. They also completed 78 timber theft investigations, recovering over $156,000 for victims of timber theft.
Copyright 2026 KAUZ. All rights reserved.