Tag: Fish and Game Enforcement

FL Sheriff Asks State Wildlife Agency for Help with Bears

"Bear management is not my day job," Sheriff A.J. "Tony" Smith said in a Facebook video. "Something needs to be done. I'm not a bear biologist..."

September 25, 2023

Franklin County, FL, Sheriff A.J. 'Tony' Smith says his office has received more than 40 calls about bears in the last year. 'Bear management is not my day job,' he complained on Facebook, calling for state help.

MN Conservation Officer Killed in On-Duty Crash

Sarah Grell, 39, died in the line of duty Monday morning. Minnesota State Patrol says the crash occurred just after 8:30 a.m. when a semi truck made contact with Grell's driver's side door.

May 25, 2021

Minnesota Conservation Officer Sarah Grell was killed in a on-duty vehicle crash Monday. (Photo: Minnesota Department of Resources)

Wildlife Officer and Deputy Rescue Kayaker from NC Lake

State officials said Master Officer David Ritzheimer and Stanly County deputy Darnell Almond helped rescue a kayaker who had been underwater for several minutes after his vessel overturned.

March 16, 2021

Minnesota Conservation Officer Dies of Apparent Medical Emergency

Officer Shannon "Opie" Barron is survived by his wife, two children, his aunt who raised him and numerous relatives.

July 9, 2019

Officer Shannon 'Opie' Barron is survived by his wife, two children, his aunt who raised him and numerous relatives.

Philadelphia Officer Paints Portrait of Fallen MN Conservation Officer

Castro, the portrait artist, has painted more than 150 portraits of fallen officers from across the world. He sends the finished portraits to family and friends and covers the expenses himself.

April 24, 2019

Jonny Castro, of the Philadelphia Police Department, posted his portrait of Wynn on Facebook on Wednesday. (Photo: Jonny Castro/Facebook)

Minnesota Conservation Officer Drowns on Duty

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Eugene Wynn drowned on duty after an incident on Cross Lake in Pine City Friday evening.

April 23, 2019

SC Department of Natural Resources Selects FN 15 Patrol Carbine

FN America, LLC has announced that the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has selected a custom-designed FN 15 Patrol Carbine equipped with agency-selected upgrades.

April 11, 2019

Man Who Killed Texas Game Warden Executed

James Garrett Freeman, 35, shot and killed Justin Hurst, a game warden with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, following a 90-minute chase on country roads in the early morning of March 17, 2007, according to court documents. It was Hurst’s 34th birthday.

January 28, 2016

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department warden Justin Hurst was killed in 2007.

Texas Bolsters Border Patrol With Own Officers, Equipment

Along the Rio Grande, Texas game wardens and Texas Rangers patrol the border in their state with help from cameras and aircraft -- all of the manpower and equipment are provided by the state, not the federal government.

August 6, 2014

Mississippi Wildlife Officer Struck, Killed by Car

Master Sgt. John Collum, 56, had worked for the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks since 1999, and was regional officer of the year in 2012.

May 11, 2014

John Collum (Photo: Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks)

Fla. Cop Shoots, Kills 10-Foot Gator

A Daytona Beach (Fla.) Police officer shot and killed an aggressive alligator in a retention pond, after children began throwing things at it and poking it with sticks.

June 10, 2013

Screenshot via WESH.

FOCUS Act: A Law of Unintended Consequences

Recent news that Congress is considering a bill that could strip federal fish and game officers of their firearms struck a nerve with me. It's another example of civilians not realizing the dangers faced by these dedicated officers.

March 4, 2012

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