New game wardens join ranks

After approximately seven months of rigorous training, the 65th Texas Game Warden cadet class graduated and has moved into their assigned duty stations in Lubbock, Wichita Falls, Amarillo and surrounding areas.

The three new wardens are Cole Reneau, Ryan Welch, and Kyle Deaton. They will be assigned to Terry/Dawson Counties, Palo Pinto County, and Hemphill/Lipscomb Counties respectively.

The duties of a Texas Game Warden include the enforcement of all state laws as well as hunting, fishing, and water safety regulations. Being fully commissioned peace officers, they respond to emergencies, assist other law enforcement agencies, and work to educate the public about conservation issues.

All graduates met the state-mandated requirements for peace officer certification, including criminal and constitutional law, firearms, self-defense, use of force, defensive driving, arrest, search and seizure, ethics, and first aid.

The new Wardens are joining more than 500 Game Wardens currently in the field and will help enforce TPWD regulations and carry the department’s high standards to every corner of the state.