By Alex Branch
A Texas game warden was killed early Saturday during a shootout between authorities and a man suspected of hunting illegally.The person who murdered this game warden is not a hunter, he is a poacher. There is a big difference. Hunters do not take game illegally, poachers do. Hunters do not get crosswise with law enforcement, poachers do. Hunters are law abiding citizens who continue traditions as old as mankind itself. Poachers are scum who steal from the land and from the citizens of Texas.
Warden Justin Hurst, 34, was shot after the suspect led law enforcement officers on a 50-minute chase that wound through the back roads of Wharton County southwest of Houston, said Maj. Rolly Correa of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
When the car finally stopped, the suspect came out shooting, authorities said.
“I don’t know how many patrol cars were hit, but there were a number of windows shot out and lots of rounds fired,” Correa said.
The suspect, a goblin whose name is not worth mentioning, 26, was wounded in the shootout and taken to a hospital, according to a statement from the Texas Department of Public Safety. He is expected to be charged with capital murder.
The chase started after a fellow game warden spotted a man believed to be hunting illegally from the road, authorities said. When the warden approached him, the suspect fled.My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Warden Hurst.
Hurst and officers from several jurisdictions joined the pursuit.
Hurst started his career with the agency in 1995 as a wildlife biologist, Correa said. He later grew interested in law enforcement and graduated from the Game Warden Academy in August 2002.
Hurst was killed on his 34th birthday and is survived by his wife and 4-month-old child, Correa said.
“It’s a really hard thing,” Correa said. “He was loved by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Hurst was the 16th Texas game warden killed since 1919, Correa said.
Game Wardens play an very important role in the preservation of our hunting and fishing grounds, keeping our lakes and open areas safe, and in wildlife education. Every Game Warden I have come in contact with has been very professional straightforward.
I am sure that everyone in the shooting community can agree that this goblin is no hunter, at best he is a poacher, and in reality a murderer. I have written the author of this article, and explained a bit about the differences between poachers and hunters.
If you would like to add your 2¢, here is his email: abranch@star-telegram.com
2 comments:
Not to belittle the incident, but this is one of those situations where hunters need to realize that their precious firearms are just as much in the gun-grabbers dreams as the rest of us.
No doubt this incident will spark calls for controls over 'cop killer hunting rifles'.
Sad to see this kind of thing happen, regardless of the weapon used.
I am sure that everyone in the shooting community can agree that this goblin is no hunter, at best he is a poacher, and in reality a murderer.
Couldn't have said it better myself. Let us know what he says.
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