TPWD Graduates 68th Texas Game Warden and State Park Police Cadet Class

TPWD Graduates 68th Texas Game Warden and State Park Police Cadet Class

May 27, 2026

Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030

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AUSTIN - The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) graduated its 68th Texas Game Warden and Texas State Park Police cadet class Friday morning during a ceremony at the Texas State Capitol.

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.

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.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott delivered the ceremony's keynote address.

"You are now guardians of places that cannot speak for themselves," said Governor Abbott. "You 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' 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."

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's natural resources.

"Our new game wardens are joining a profession rooted in service, conservation and public safety," said Col. Ron VanderRoest, TPWD law enforcement director. "They 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."

Texas State Park Police officers provide law enforcement services within Texas State Parks and support public safety efforts in surrounding communities.

"Our new park police officers are joining a proud tradition of service within the Texas State Parks system," said Chief Wes Masur, TPWD State Park Police. "They 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."

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.

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.

These are the new game wardens and state park police officers, and the counties or parks where they will be stationed:

Texas Game Wardens

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

Texas State Park Police Officers

• Bryson Catlett - Garner State Park
• Millton Correia - Garner State Park
• Mitchell Glover - Lake Corpus Christi State Park
• Sarah-Hope Parohl - Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

About Texas Game Wardens

Texas Game Wardens, within the Law Enforcement Division of TPWD, are responsible for enforcing laws related to the conservation and management of natural resources and public safety through community-based law enforcement. Their mission is to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Additionally, they play a crucial role in search and rescue operations during natural disasters, exemplifying their commitment to protecting both the environment and the people of Texas.

If you witness a fishing, wildlife or boating violation in progress, please call 1-800-792-GAME (4263) immediately and report it to Operation Game Thief (OGT), Texas' Wildlife Crime-Stoppers Program. You can also text your tip by sending the keyword TXOGT plus your tip to 847411 or through the Texas OGT App, available for iOS and Android devices. Dispatchers are available 24/7.