{"id":315457,"date":"2026-05-30T13:29:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-30T13:29:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/315457\/"},"modified":"2026-05-30T13:29:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T13:29:11","slug":"tpwd-graduates-68th-texas-game-warden-and-state-park-police-cadet-class-the-gilmer-mirror","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/315457\/","title":{"rendered":"TPWD Graduates 68th Texas Game Warden and State Park Police Cadet Class \u2013 The Gilmer Mirror"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"AUSTIN \u2013 The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)<\/a> graduated its 68th Texas Game Warden<\/a> and Texas State Park Police<\/a> cadet class Friday morning during a ceremony at the Texas State Capitol. <\/p>\n

The class included 24 new Texas Game Wardens and four Texas State Park Police officers who completed eight months of intensive training at the Texas Game Warden Training Center in Hamilton County before earning their commissions as Texas peace officers.<\/p>\n

As fully commissioned peace officers, Texas Game Wardens and Texas State Park Police officers enforce all Texas criminal laws and are responsible for enforcing the Penal Code, Transportation Code and Health and Safety Code much like other law enforcement agencies across the state. They also respond to emergencies, assist local, state and federal law enforcement partners and help educate the public on conservation and public safety issues.<\/p>\n

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott delivered the ceremony\u2019s keynote address.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are now guardians of places that cannot speak for themselves,\u201d said Governor Abbott. \u201cYou carry a badge, but more than that, you carry a standard of courage, integrity, and selfless service. You are more than wildlife officers; you are law enforcement officers, border defenders, rescue responders, and Texas\u2019 all-weather, all-terrain, all-mission force to protect our great state. Texas is counting on you to protect what makes this state worth loving, and I know with absolute confidence that you will achieve that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Texas Game Wardens are the primary law enforcement officers responsible for enforcing hunting, fishing and water safety laws and play a critical role in conserving the state\u2019s natural resources.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur new game wardens are joining a profession rooted in service, conservation and public safety,\u201d said Col. Ron VanderRoest, TPWD law enforcement director. \u201cThey are stepping into careers that will take them into communities, on waterways and into remote areas across Texas where they will protect natural resources, assist people in times of crisis and uphold the laws of this state. We are proud to welcome them into the Texas Game Warden family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Texas State Park Police officers provide law enforcement services within Texas State Parks and support public safety efforts in surrounding communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur new park police officers are joining a proud tradition of service within the Texas State Parks system,\u201d said Chief Wes Masur, TPWD State Park Police. \u201cThey will help provide a safe and enjoyable experience for the millions of visitors who explore our state parks each year while also supporting public safety efforts in surrounding communities. We are excited to see the impact they will make.\u201d<\/p>\n

All graduating cadets successfully completed the state-mandated requirements for peace officer certification, including criminal and constitutional law, firearms, self-defense, use of force, boat operations, arrest, search and seizure, ethics, first aid and emergency response.<\/p>\n

The new officers will soon begin assignments in counties and state parks across Texas, joining more than 500 commissioned game wardens and about 150 state park police officers already serving statewide.<\/p>\n

These are the new game wardens and state park police officers, and the counties or parks where they will be stationed:<\/p>\n

Texas Game Wardens<\/p>\n

Bryson Ballard \u2013 Runnels County Justin Christoph \u2013 Polk County Brady Crump \u2013 Polk County Brenna Downey \u2013 Galveston County Kylan Edwards \u2013 Andrews and Gaines Counties Erick Hall \u2013 Webb County Dawson Hervey \u2013 Jefferson County Jesse Hoke \u2013 McMullen County Ethan Janecka \u2013 Val Verde County Evan Joseph \u2013 Reeves County Dylan Koch \u2013 Chambers County Gavin Martinez \u2013 Zapata County Rachel McMurray \u2013 Duval County Nohely Mejia \u2013 Maverick County Michael Muniz \u2013 Denton County Aaron Petta \u2013 Tarrant County Janson Robeson \u2013 Harris County Julia Ryza \u2013 Harris County Miguel Salvo \u2013 Matagorda County Shelby Summerville \u2013 Zapata County Robert Tarbet \u2013 Terrell County Austin Thompson \u2013 El Paso and Hudspeth Counties Daniel Walton \u2013 Carson and Hutchinson Counties Ty Washington \u2013 Midland, Crane and Ector Counties <\/p>\n

Texas State Park Police Officers<\/p>\n

Bryson Catlett \u2013 Garner State Park Millton Correia \u2013 Garner State Park Mitchell Glover \u2013 Lake Corpus Christi State Park Sarah-Hope Parohl \u2013 Enchanted Rock State Natural Area <\/p>\n

Additional photos available for download<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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