Hanging up the badge and gun (well not the gun 
) after 36 years in law enforcement. I knew I wanted to be a game warden before I was even junior high I think. When I got out of high school I started (and what was going to be a long haul) college to get my Wildlife Biology degree. I'd work a half year (logging) and then go to school for a half year. After a couple of years of that I went to Plan B.
I joined the Air Force to help pay for school and went into their Security Police Law Enforcement. I entered the Air Force in Butte, Montana and was promptly stationed in Great Falls- oh well I didn't really want to see the rest of the world anyways!. After four years, with enough money to finish college I went back to school (University of Montana) with enough money to finish straight through. I was now married and with two children, my grade point average soared (amazing how studying vs partying impacts your GPA!) and graduated in 1988.
I was waiting for a hiring notice from Fish, Wildlife and Parks, but those came very infrequently. I took a job with the USFS as a Wilderness Ranger in the Great Bear and Bob Marshall- great job for me, not so great for my wife with two young children. There was finally a game warden hiring notice and and I applied. I think with my four years of law enforcement with the military and a season and a half as a Wilderness Ranger, helped me land the job.
Twenty four years as a game warden seemed to go by pretty quickly. I spent several years as a sergeant and then several more years as a captain before retiring. Worked with a bunch of great guys and put a hit on a lot of poachers over the years. Spent a lot of time on 4 wheelers, motorcycles, a variety of watercraft, horseback and on foot. Outside as much as possible.
After retiring as a game warden, I was a little too young to fully retire, so took a contract job with the US Marshal's Service. Still wore a badge and gun, but traded my Wranglers for dress pants and a suit coat- who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks!
After 8 years (the last two working just part time) it was time to draw my law enforcement career to an end. At the end of December, I pulled the pin for good and joined the ranks of the retired.
I have a very long bucket list and God willing, going to do my best to cross off as much as possible
It was a great ride!
) after 36 years in law enforcement. I knew I wanted to be a game warden before I was even junior high I think. When I got out of high school I started (and what was going to be a long haul) college to get my Wildlife Biology degree. I'd work a half year (logging) and then go to school for a half year. After a couple of years of that I went to Plan B.I joined the Air Force to help pay for school and went into their Security Police Law Enforcement. I entered the Air Force in Butte, Montana and was promptly stationed in Great Falls- oh well I didn't really want to see the rest of the world anyways!
. After four years, with enough money to finish college I went back to school (University of Montana) with enough money to finish straight through. I was now married and with two children, my grade point average soared (amazing how studying vs partying impacts your GPA!) and graduated in 1988.I was waiting for a hiring notice from Fish, Wildlife and Parks, but those came very infrequently. I took a job with the USFS as a Wilderness Ranger in the Great Bear and Bob Marshall- great job for me, not so great for my wife with two young children. There was finally a game warden hiring notice and and I applied. I think with my four years of law enforcement with the military and a season and a half as a Wilderness Ranger, helped me land the job.
Twenty four years as a game warden seemed to go by pretty quickly. I spent several years as a sergeant and then several more years as a captain before retiring. Worked with a bunch of great guys and put a hit on a lot of poachers over the years. Spent a lot of time on 4 wheelers, motorcycles, a variety of watercraft, horseback and on foot. Outside as much as possible.
After retiring as a game warden, I was a little too young to fully retire, so took a contract job with the US Marshal's Service. Still wore a badge and gun, but traded my Wranglers for dress pants and a suit coat- who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks!
After 8 years (the last two working just part time) it was time to draw my law enforcement career to an end. At the end of December, I pulled the pin for good and joined the ranks of the retired.
I have a very long bucket list and God willing, going to do my best to cross off as much as possible
It was a great ride!
