Gary Teeler is the recipient of the SAFVIC Instructor of the Year Award and the officer of the month for August.

Chief Teeler has been a game warden for a little over 14 years and now serves and a division inspector.  Prior to that he was involved in the game warden training academy.  While he was a field officer Chief Teeler became familiar with TMPA and the training programs we offer.  He became a SAFVIC instructor and has taught the three day course to well over 500 officers including many game wardens. "I believe any officer that may fall into a first responder role should have the SAFVIC training.  Our responses aren't necessarily the traditional home setting, but in campgrounds, state parks, and hunting camps we can and do run into family violence situations", said Teeler. He is also an instructor for the FRIDAY program.

When we asked Chief Teeler what he enjoyed the most about his job, he said, "Most game wardens are avid sportsman.  They love hunting, fishing and the outdoors.  You find that the thrill you got from hunting turns into a thrill of catching those that are illegally taking wildlife."  Game wardens use modern day CSI to identify poachers-matching DNA of carcass, tire tracks, tool marks and much more.

Currently there are 532 game wardens statewide.  New graduates could be sent to any duty station in the state including border assignments.  Traditionally, new game wardens were assigned to the coastal areas and East Texas.  Chief Teeler encourages local law enforcement to get to know there game wardens and use them, work with them and support them, "We are not just about the game and fish, we're about public safety and we're parts of our communities."

TMPA thanks Chief Teeler for his service to Texas law enforcement and for participating in this interview.