Arkansas Game Wardens

08/31/2026

We extend our sympathy to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service following the passing of Federal Wildlife Officer David Taylor.

We honor his bravery, selfless service, and commitment to protecting wildlife. Our thoughts are with everyone who knew and loved him.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is mourning federal wildlife officer David Taylor, 38 of Scio, Oregon, who is believed to have died while helping evacuate residents threatened by the Railroad South Fire.

Officer Taylor was going door to door alongside local emergency crews helping families get to safety. His last contact with dispatch came while he was helping a family evacuate their home. Evidence recovered from a structure where he was working to help a resident escape indicates that he died during the evacuation effort. Formal identification remains pending with the medical examiner.

Everything we know about David's actions reflects extraordinary courage, selflessness and devotion to duty.

Our hearts are with his family, friends, fellow officers and all who served alongside him. We will never forget his service.

08/28/2026

Week 16 in the books for Class E-1-26!

With graduation quickly approaching, this week was all about putting theory into action. Our cadets were out in the field conducting practical scenario exercises, fine-tuning their investigative procedures, and field tactics to ensure they’re fully prepared to enter the field.

Beyond the tactical prep, the class also took time to give back locally by conducting a highway cleanup around the training center grounds.

08/26/2026

Four paws, sharp instincts, and an unbeatable work ethic.

This , we're honoring the AGFC K-9 Unit! These dogs aren't just man’s best friend - they’re vital partners in conservation law enforcement. Whether tracking lost individuals, locating evidence, or detecting illegal wildlife, our K-9 teams work around the clock to protect Arkansas’s natural resources.

Thank you to our handlers and their K-9 partners for everything you do!

08/24/2026

Heading back out to the tree stand? With the statewide Early Buck Archery Hunt running August 29–31, now is the time to brush up on safety before you climb.

A quick pre-hunt checklist:

Stand Check: Inspected for wear, rust, or loose straps?

Safety Gear: Harness strapped in and connected to a lifeline?

Haul Line: Gear attached so your hands stay free while climbing?

Reminder: If you see any poaching or wildlife violations, report them immediately to the AGFC Stop Poaching Hotline at 833-356-0824 or 501-255-3475. You can also text your tip to TIP411 (847411). Hunt smart, stay safe, and good luck out there this season!

08/21/2026

Class E-1-26 has been pushing hard over the last few weeks of training, mastering the essential skills needed to operate in the backwoods of Arkansas.

From navigating dense terrain to managing high-stakes encounters, these future Game Wardens are building a complete, real-world skillset:

Officer Combat Tactics (OCT): High-intensity hand-to-hand defense, restraint techniques, and situational awareness for when backup is miles away.

Tactical Medicine: Essential life-saving care designed for rapid trauma response in isolated environments.

Defensive Driving (Truck & ATV): Advanced vehicle control to safely navigate rugged trails, high-speed responses, and treacherous off-road terrain.

Land Navigation: Precision map, compass, and GPS training to ensure officers can track and navigate anywhere in the state.

Every module brings Class E-1-26 one step closer to wearing the badge and keeping our communities and natural resources safe!

07/29/2026

Sr. Corporal Crownover issued 68 boating citations and warnings, including 11 BWIs, 1 BUI, and conducted 610 hours of boating patrols. He also assisted with 4 additional BWI arrests. Corporal Crownover is an excellent investigator who focuses on major violations. This is evident by his focus on boaters operating under the influence and other serious crimes. In addition to BWI, Corporal Crownover also arrested suspects for endangering the welfare of a minor, 4 refusal to submit to a test, and DWI (drugs). This type of performance is nothing new for Corporal Crownover. During his career, Lyndle has arrested more than 155 suspects for BWI, averaging more than 7 BWIs per year. He works with District Wardens and other agencies to plan patrols on area lakes and rivers, placing a high priority on BWI enforcement. Corporal Crownover’s efforts have made our lakes and rivers a safer place.

Corporal Crownover is very active in Boating and Youth Education. This year, Lyndle organized or assisted in 13 Boater Education Classes, reaching more than 360 students. He helped establish a successful Boater Education program in area schools. He organized, conducted, or assisted with more than 18 public relations programs. Lyndle brought forward the idea of creating a SFST notebook, which has been adopted within the enforcement division and issued to all Game Wardens in the state.

It is a testament to his work ethic and dedication that he has been nominated 12 times and this is his 5th time to win the Butch Potts Law Enforcement Boating Officer of the Year for Arkansas.

Congratulations Sr. Cpl. Crownover!

Pictured from left to right: Director Schoenrock, Sr. Cpl. Crownover, Colonel Williams.

07/28/2026

Captain Sisk recently concluded a 30-year career of outstanding service, demonstrating extraordinary devotion to duty and a tireless commitment to advancing natural resource protection and public safety across the State of Arkansas.

He led District A-2 with integrity and visionary leadership, serving as a mentor driven by the core philosophy that "satisfactory is simply not good enough." Captain Sisk’s legacy is defined by high responsibility, specialized enforcement expertise, and direct lifesaving interventions.

In October 2009, while attempting to rescue stranded campers on the flooded Mulberry River, then-Sergeant Sisk’s boat capsized. He clung to a tree for hours in the dark until floodwaters receded, allowing him to walk out to search and rescue crews.

In April 2015, Captain Sisk and his partner executed a daring swift-water rescue on the Arkansas River below the Ozark Dam. By coordinating with the Lock Master to temporarily halt gate operations, they pulled three occupants to safety. For these actions, he was honored with the agency’s Lifesaving Award, the Warden’s Cross, and the Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

Captain Sisk also served as a supervisor on the Enforcement Division's Disaster Response Team (DRT) from its inception until 2018. He personally led teams on a multi-day deployment to the Texas coastline to provide search, rescue, and humanitarian relief in the wake of a major hurricane.

Additionally, Captain Sisk instructed cadets on Commercial Fishing Enforcement, boating accident reconstruction, marine theft, defensive boat operations, and the nationwide officer safety campaign "Below 100."

For his continuous willingness to step up, specialized expertise, and unwavering devotion to public service, Captain Ben Sisk was awarded the Distinguished Meritorious Service Award.

Pictured from left to right: Director Schoenrock, Retired Capt. Sisk, Colonel Williams.

07/28/2026

On January 30, 2025 Corporal James Ray, was notified by Sgt. Brian Bailey of a developing swift water event in which a victim had driven his vehicle into a flooded waterway and had been swept off the road by the current. The victim was able to exit his vehicle and he was located in a tree off Frost Lane in rural Scott County. Prior to this, a substantial amount of rain had fallen on an already saturated ground causing severe flash flooding. The Fourche River had flooded out of its banks and was now flowing, swiftly, across the roadway.

Upon arriving to the area, Sgt. Bailey and Cpl. Ray assessed the situation and ultimately determined to put a boat on the water to make the rescue. Finding what appeared to be the calmest water on the west side of the road to launch, the wardens attempted to enter the floodwaters. The current was too strong and began pushing the boat into the shallow part of the roadway, preventing them from launching. It was also found there was a barbed wire fence, trees and shrubs on the east side of the roadway that prevented them from launching the boat.

Completely out of daylight and operating in the dark, Sgt. Bailey and Cpl. Ray began walking the boat across the roadway which allowed the current to pull the motor downstream while Cpl. Ray controlled the front of the boat. Once the water was deep enough, Sgt. Bailey jumped in and started the motor and as soon as the motor was running, Cpl. Ray entered the boat and the swift water began to take them away. Seeing no time for error, Sgt. Bailey gave the boat full throttle, running perpendicular with the flowing flood water toward the victim. Sgt. Bailey operated the boat directly into the tree, holding throttle against the current as best as possible. Cpl. Ray was able to extricate the victim from the tree. Sgt. Bailey then began to motor in the direction of the bank in the strong current. Once back on land, the victim was immediately taken into the care of Emergency Medical Services to be check for hypothermia.

If not for the quick, un-selfish actions taken by Sgt. Bailey and Cpl. Ray this incident could have been much worse.

Congratulations Sgt. Bailey and Cpl. Ray!

Pictured from left to right: Director Schoenrock, Cpl. Ray, Sgt. Bailey, Colonel Williams.

07/27/2026

On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at approximately 3:23 pm, Cpl. Ken Nelson was the first on scene at an unreported vehicle accident at the intersection of Highway 65 N and Factory Street in Marshall. While assessing the scene, Cpl. Nelson saw smoke in the engine compartment of one of the wrecked vehicles and instructed a bystander to find a fire extinguisher in case a fire occurred.

Cpl. Nelson observed the occupants of the less-damaged vehicle standing beside it, and they appeared uninjured. The female driver of the other vehicle was severely injured. Upon observing her condition, Cpl. Nelson called dispatch and requested a medical helicopter and an extrication team. Cpl. Nelson immediately noted an open compound fracture on her left femur just above the knee, which was losing a significant amount of blood. Cpl. Nelson quickly applied a tourniquet to the leg and stopped the bleeding.

Medical personnel and first responders arrived on scene within a few minutes, and Cpl. Nelson continued to talk to the victim, trying to comfort her throughout the extrication while also assisting first responders and paramedics.

The driver ultimately survived her injuries in part due to Cpl. Nelson's proximity to the accident and his skills as a first responder. The tourniquet application alone immediately stopped a life-threatening situation. Based on Cpl. Ken Nelson's professionalism and immediate action he received a Letter of Commendation.

Congratulations Cpl. Ken Nelson!

Pictured from left to right: Director Schoenrock, Cpl. Nelson, Colonel Williams.

07/27/2026

On February 18, 2025 at approximately 5:00 pm the Cleburne County Search and Rescue team requested AGFC assistance with locating a missing 16 YO male that had left to go hiking between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. that morning and not returned home. The current weather conditions were deteriorating, as snow and sleet blanketed the county.

Senior Corporal Ryan Nast and Corporal Jeremy Conner responded and began searching the area on their side by side. The temperature had dropped to approximately 0 degrees and the wind was blowing gusts up to 30 miles per hour. Visibility was low and cumulating snowfall was making tracking very difficult to impossible. After traveling several miles in their side by side over old logging roads and ATV trails, Cpl. Conner and Cpl. Nast then took the side by side down several miles of trails to gain access to Baily Hollow. After reaching the bottom, they crossed the creek and continued west on foot. Shortly after crossing the creek, Cpl. Conner spotted foot tracks in the snow. Cpl. Conner and Cpl. Nast worked together marking tracks and making their way west for approximately one mile before they found the juvenile at approximately 10:00 p.m.

The juvenile stated he was ok, but showed early signs of hypothermia. He had uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech, and was drowsy. He had been exposed to the elements for 13 hours wearing blue jeans, tennis shoes, and a sweatshirt. At that point they helped him remove his wet sweatshirt and Sr. Cpl. Nast provided the juvenile with his jacket and Cpl. Conner gave him his gloves. He was so lethargic that Cpl. Conner and Cpl. Nast had to assist him multiple times and kept coaching him to stay awake. After arriving back at to the side by side, they were able to take the juvenile back to an awaiting ambulance where it was determined he was ok and released to his mother.

If not for the actions taken by Cpl. Nast and Cpl. Conner, this situation may have ended in a differently. Due to their actions Cpl. Nast and Cpl. Conner received a Letter of Commendation.

Congratulations Sr. Cpl. Nast and Cpl. Conner!

Pictured from left to right: Director Schoenrock, Sr. Cpl. Nast, Cpl. Conner, Colonel Williams.