100B Celebrating 100 Episodes!

In this special bonus episode, our hosts and producer get together with fan favorites Kris MacCabe of Maine, Benny Richards of Texas, and New Hampshire’s own Col. Kevin Jordan. Join us for a fun and wide-ranging chat looking back on 100 episodes, and looking forward to 100 more!

Our Sponsors:

Thin Green Line Podcast

Don Noyes Chevrolet

Sovereign Sportsman Solutions

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Hunt of a Lifetime

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

International Wildlife Crimestoppers

Credits

Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores

Producer: Jay Ammann

Art & Design: Ashley Hannett

Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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072 Benny Richards – Texas

Benny Richards is a former Game Warden for Hunt County, Texas. Richards worked for over 25 years for the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife, and is well known for his appearances on “Lone Star Law”. During his time as a warden, he earned accomplishments such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Officer of the Year (2015) and the Shikar-Safari International Wildlife Officer of the year award. In this episode, Wayne interviews Benny on his role as a Texas warden and the stories of “Lone Star Law”.

Our Sponsors: 

Thin Green Line Podcast

Sovereign Sportsman Solutions

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Hunt of a Lifetime

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

International Wildlife Crime Stoppers

Here’s What We Discuss:

  • “Tales of a Texas Game Warden” by Benny Richards
  • Virtual book signing: December 2nd at 7:00pm
  • Recently retired
  • Everything is real
  • New season of Lone Star Law is coming
  • Game warden and peace officer
  • First interaction with a game warden
  • Different trails
  • Cocaine in the taxi cab
  • Dirty deeds under the cover of dark
  • Trip to jail makes them pass out
  • Phones change everything
  • Moving the bucket
  • Watch to get evidence
  • Wardens answer more than just outdoor calls
  • Housing development
  • Landowner permission
  • Diverse environment 
  • Upcoming children’s book
  • Moose antler

060 For the Fallen – Justin Hurst, Texas EOW: March 17, 2007

Justin Hurst was a game warden who worked for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. A graduate of Texas A&M, he had a passion for the outdoors and worked to protect it. Even before he was a warden, he worked as a waterfowl guide and educated people on hunting. After 5 years of service as a warden, he was involved in an incident where a man was suspected of hunting illegally. While backing up another game warden on a pursuit, the suspect’s vehicle was spiked. As he got out, the suspect fired at the approaching wardens and deputies. Hurst was struck multiple times while returning fire, and was med-flighted to a nearby hospital. A day later, on his 34th birthday, Justin succumbed to his injuries. Justin is an example of an exemplary game warden with a strong work ethic and a desire to educate his community. 

His sacrifice will not be forgotten. 

Our Sponsors: 

Thin Green Line Podcast

Sovereign Sportsman Solutions

Hunt of a Lifetime

Maine’s Operation Game Thief

Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH

International Wildlife Crime Stoppers

Here’s What We Discuss:

  • Chaplin Scott Mcintosh leads in prayer
  • Start of Justin’s love of wildlife
  • Dad, we need to help these hawks 
  • Love of duck and geese
  • Read the bands on geese
  • Went to Texas A&M, never went to a football game
  • Applied for the academy 
  • First of his class
  • Back home with people he knew
  • Make personal contacts with farmers and ranchers
  • A knocking at the door, a flashlight
  • Justin did not survive
  • His eyes were used as an organ donation
  • 25 game wardens at the house to support us
  • Kept the media away
  • 10 units involved in the incident
  • Dashcam video recorded
  • The pursuit 
  • Gets cornered at the cemetery and starts firing
  • Hits Justin; med-flighted to the hospital
  • I asked God “why did you take my son?”
  • Effects of a LEO death on the family
  • Weeks after, wardens were around 24/7
  • 500 law enforcement at Justin’s funeral
  • Cremated and released into the bay
  • Ashes put in Justin’s projects 
  • Offered life without parole; refused
  • Jury convicted him guilty of 1st degree murder with execution
  • All appeals denied
  • We pick the day he’s executed
  • A long process; very educational 
  • Only could bring a driver’s license the penitentiary 
  • He never said anything
  • Motorcycle groups revved engines during final statement
  • Parent groups for parents who lost LEO sons and daughters
  • Support of organizations
  • I want to make sure our wardens are supported
  • Justin wanted to educate and teach