game warden killed


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Saturday March 17 was a sad day for law enforcement in Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden Justin Hurst was gunned down in the line of duty. He died in route to a hospital.

On top of his senseless death, Saturday was his 34th birthday. He leaves behind a wife and 4 year old son. He will be greatly missed by his families; immediate, law enforcement and religious.

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Re: game warden killed

this happened about 20 miles from my home. Here is what the papers are saying right now.

Game warden's death a capital murder case

By PAIGE HEWITT

Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

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The 26-year-old man accused of killing a Texas Parks and Wildlife game warden was moved to the Harris County jail Sunday and was charged with capital murder of a police officer.

James Garrett Freeman, of Lissie, is accused of killing Justin Hurst, 34, during a shootout Saturday when officers were trying to arrest him as an illegal-hunting suspect.

Hurst, a graduate of Conroe High School and Texas A&M University, was "passionate about the outdoors and all of God's creations," said his wife, Amanda Wilcox Hurst.

Hurst, who leaves behind 4-month-old son, Kyle, will be cremated; his ashes will be spread across the bay in Palacios, the couple's favorite place.

"He was an incredible, incredible man," she said. "He meant a lot to a lot of people. He was great at everything he did. He never went halfway with anything." He even folded clothes, she said, laughing.

She said every morning Hurst brought her coffee and they sat together on the porch at their El Campo home.

And when coming home from a job he loved "so much," he always "came through the door and said, 'Where's my baby?' "

Joyce McCormick, Hurst's minister at First United Methodist Church of El Campo said he was a man of "deep faith and the highest integrity who didn't talk so much about his faith, but he lived it."

McCormick, also a close family friend who has been consoling the Hursts and will deliver the funeral service, said Hurst had a special connection with children and reached out to those in need.

The events that led to Hurst's death began late Friday night or early Saturday morning when a warden, suspecting that Freeman was poaching, approached his vehicle. Freeman fled, and a chase ensued.

Hurst and officers with the Wharton County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety were called in as backup. After a lengthy pursuit, the DPS stopped Freeman, and heavy gunfire was exchanged.

Hurst was taken by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann-The Texas Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Freeman, who was also shot, was initially hospitalized, under guard, before being moved to the jail.

Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church of El Campo.

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Re: game warden killed

All this for some silly wildlife violation. It's a shame that people who break the law are so mentally and morally weak that they can't take the consequences of their actions. I suppose of course if they had any mental and moral integrity then they wouldn't be the bad guys then. This is a deep, deep shame. I feel for the family and those that have been affected.

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Re: game warden killed

Here are a few more details...

Game Warden Justin Hurst

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Texas

End of Watch: Saturday, March 17, 2007

Biographical Info

Age: 34

Tour of Duty: 5 years

Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire

Date of Incident: Friday, March 16, 2007

Weapon Used: Rifle

Suspect Info: Charged with capital murder

Warden Justin Hurst was shot and killed by a suspect in Wharton County following a high speed pursuit on US Route 90-A.

The suspect had fled after he was approached by another warden who suspected him of illegally hunting from the road. Warden Hurst was called as back-up, and he and officers from other agencies pursued the suspect through two counties. The suspect then exchanged shots with the officers, mortally wounding Warden Hurst.

Warden Hurst was flown to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries in the early morning hours the following day, his 34th birthday.

The killer was shot and wounded by sheriff's deputies during the exchange. He was taken into custody and charged with capital murder.

Warden Hurst graduated from the academy to become a warden in August of 2002. He is survived by his wife, 4-month-old son, parents, and brother.

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Re: game warden killed

That is truely sad and upsetting, that really ticks me off, there is no need for this crap in our country, i hope that gunman rots away in jail and recieves the Death Penalty right after his conviction, my prayers and deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of Justin Hurst

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