Texas A&M Forest Service pins newest law enforcement officer

Troy Poe, Texas A&M Forest Service fire coordinator based in Beeville, was sworn in as a Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Department additional duty officer on Sept. 9.

As an additional duty officer, Poe will assist in investigating Texas wildfires, with a primary focus on South Texas.

Poe will also continue his full-time role as a Texas A&M Forest Service fire coordinator, coordinating responses to wildfire and all-hazard events with local, state and federal partners, and serving in a unified command.

“With over 12 years of experience in law enforcement and investigations, Officer Poe will be a valuable asset to our department by supporting local communities in wildfire investigations,” said Connor Murnane, Texas A&M Forest Service chief law enforcement officer. “The coordinated effort between our officers and local officials is critical to protecting the natural resources, landowners and citizens of Texas.”

The Law Enforcement department is comprised of 11 officers and investigators, including Poe, all of whom are licensed peace officers by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and approved by the Texas A&M System Board of Regents.

Law Enforcement Department in Texas A&M Forest Service

For over 110 years, the department has investigated the cause of wildfires throughout the state. In 1977, the department also assumed the responsibility of investigating timber theft cases and carrying out justice under the Texas Natural Resources Code.

Following wildfires, local law enforcement and investigators initiate investigations, but often request assistance from forest service law officers.

During investigation of the cause and origin of a wildfire, investigators examine contributing factors such as weather conditions, vegetative fuel consumption and macro- and micro-burn pattern indicators. Grass stems, scorching patterns on tree bark and ash color are all indicators that allow investigators to determine the origin of a fire.

Based on the totality of the circumstances and evidence, investigators will conduct a criminal investigation into the cause of the fire and any potential arson suspects.

So far this year, the department has recovered over $131,000 for landowners who were victims of timber theft and investigated 84 wildfires.