Slain Game Warden Hurst focal point of 100 Club event
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

Staff photo by Barry Halvorson Members of the law enforcement community recognized during Thursday's Wharton County 100 Club Awards banquet were, from left, Donna Hubenak, El Campo Police Communications; Mark Biskup, El Campo Police Officer; David Hill, DPS Trooper; Reynaldo Rodriguez, Wharton County Sheriff's Deputy; Jon Adkison, DPS Communications; and Darryl Swanks, Wharton Police Department. Rotating between the cities of El Campo and Wharton, this year's banquet was held Thursday night at the Wharton Civic Center.

While not among the recipients, the spirit of slain Game Warden Justin Hurst was an important part of this year's 100 Club of Wharton County's 27th Annual Awards Banquet held Thursday night at the Wharton Civic Center.

Recognized as the Wharton County Sheriff's Department Officer of the Year, Reynaldo "Roddy" Rodriguez summed up what most of those recognized were feeling. Rodriguez was honored in part for his efforts as one of the peace officers involved in the high speed pursuit that ended in Lissie with the shooting death of Hurst.

Staff Photo by Barry Halvorson Wharton County Sheriff Jess Howell, second from left, was among those offering his congratulations to the Wharton County 100 Club's law enforcement Citizens of the Year. El Campo's Ralph (left) and Vicki Gold were honored for their efforts with the West Wharton County Crimestoppers program while Wharton High School Assistant Principal Steve May (right) was selected for recognition by the Wharton Police Department. The awards were handed out during Thursday night's 100 Club Awards Banquet.

"It was a hard night," he told the audience of club members and law enforcement personnel. "Justin Hurst is my officer of the year for saving my life that night."

Another of the recipients on the night, the Department of Public Safety citizen of the year was DPS dispatcher John Adkison, who was also recognized for his efforts during the Hurst pursuit.

DPS-Pierce Communications Supervisor Denise Stanfill presented Adkison with his award, saying he was able to use the dispatch system to coordinate the efforts of all the various agencies involved in the Hurst pursuit despite difficulties with varying communication systems. While not receiving an official award, Sheriff Jess Howell recognized sheriff's dispatcher Anthony Silva for his efforts in helping to coordinate the Hurst pursuit. He also recognized dispatch supervisor Becky Knuppel for her efforts in maintaining records. "The State of Texas sends in a three-person team to do an intense audit each year," Howell said. "They said Becky's records were the best they had ever seen, actually called them perfect, and took pictures to use as examples for other departments."

Several other references were made regarding Hurst during the night, including special guest speaker Major Ted Tolle, Texas Game Warden and Law Enforcement Regional Director. He cited the deaths of Hurst and Ty Patterson, along with Wesley Wagstaff and Michale Pauling as game wardens who have died in the line of duty - Hurst and Patterson this year, Wagstaff in 2003 and Pauling in 2001.

Speaking on the topic of what makes a game warden, Tolle said the sense of duty they share isn't a result of their law enforcement training. Instead, he said, it is something that starts when they are quite young and based on the way they were raised by their parents to respect others and care for their families, their communities and the people they protect.

"I teach a class in the legal aspects of law enforcement," he said. "And I teach officers to make sound decisions and do the right thing. Doing the right thing makes their job simpler in their actions, in preparing reports, in communicating with their superiors and in their self worth."

He said people going into law enforcement don't do it for the money or for any recognition or awards they might receive, but because they are serving their God, country and others and believe in doing what is right.

Other peace officers recognized during the banquet were Wharton Police Officer Darryl Swanks, DPS Trooper David Hill and El Campo Police Officer Mark Biskup.

In making his presentation, El Campo Police Chief Jim Elliott referred to Biskup and his canine partner Apache as a dynamic duo.

The chief added Biskup has been involved in more pursuits in the past year than he has been involved in during this 38 years in law enforcement and cited the duo as being responsible for taking drugs off the streets, including one bust that resulted in the recovery of 1,017 pounds of marijuana.

Also recognized from the El Campo Department was Donna Hubenak as support person of the year for her work as a dispatcher. Elliott said Hubenak has previously won the award and is currently preparing to attend the police academy to become an officer.

DPS Sgt. Allan Spears said Hill, an East Bernard native, was selected for his dedicated efforts as the local accident investigator and reconstruction expert, extending his efforts not only to Wharton County but the entire region making up the Pierce Office region.

Swanks was introduced by Wharton Police Chief Tim Guin, who cited the officer for his active pursuit of a career in law enforcement and active pursuit of criminals. He cited in particular his work targeting drug enforcement and human smuggling.

In addition to receiving a plaque, each of the peace officers also received a handgun from the club for use on duty.

Citizens recognized during the evening included El Campo's Ralph and Vicki Gold for their efforts with the West Wharton County Crime Stoppers program. Chief Elliott was complimentary of the program and the success it has generated in fugitive apprehension cases.

The Wharton Police citizen was also a repeat winner, Wharton High School Assistant Principal Steve May. Guin said some people are recognized for a single act of courage while others, like May, deserve recognition for continuously doing the small things necessary.

Several of the award winners in turn expressed their appreciation for the support of the 100 Club not only for providing them with the equipment they need to do their jobs, but also for their support in times of trouble, like the Hurst shooting.

"When tragedy hits us, we look to you for support," Biskup said in his acceptance speech.

In discussing the club's activities during the past year, President Craig Gwinner talked about the scholarships the club gives out as well as equipment purchased. The one thing the club hoped it never would have to respond to, the death of an officer, happened this year, he said, adding the club fulfilled its promise of providing $100,000 to the game warden's family despite the fact he was not covered by the life insurance carried on peace officers. Gwinner announced the club has since appointed insurance and by-law committees to look into those areas of operation to make sure all peace officer at every level, local, state and national, will be covered in the future.

Also announced during the night were this year's four recipients of scholarships to county residents planning to pursue a career in law enforcement. Those individuals are A'Lia Coleman, Wharton; Garret Bubela, El Campo; Blake George, Louise; and Jared Janik, East Bernard.