Two Texas Game Wardens Recognized During August Commission Meeting
Sept. 22, 2025
Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030
AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) honored Texas Game Wardens Ryan McGinley and Randy Stovall at the August Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting, recognizing their exceptional service and accomplishments in the field of conservation law enforcement.
McGinley was named the 2025 National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Texas Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, while Stovall was recognized as the 2024 Association of Midwest Fish and Game Law Enforcement Officers (AMFGLEO) Texas Officer of the Year.
“These officers represent the best of what it means to be a Texas Game Warden, serving on the water, in the field and in their communities,” said Col. Ron VanderRoest, TPWD law enforcement director. “Game Wardens McGinley and Stovall have set a high standard through their leadership, professionalism and tireless commitment to protecting both people and resources.”
2025 National Association of State Boating Law Administrators Texas Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
As a member of the 57th Texas Game Warden Academy class, McGinley began his career with TPWD in 2012. He previously served in Starr County and transferred to his current duty station, Comal County, in 2015.
With several of the state’s most popular water recreation areas in his district, in 2024 alone, McGinley logged more than 347 patrol hours on Canyon Lake, Lake Dunlap and the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers. He frequently worked nights, weekends and holidays to keep boaters safe and enforce Texas water safety laws.
Over the past three years, he has filed 10 boating while intoxicated (BWI) cases, seven boating under the influence-minor (BUI-Minor) cases, and one driving while intoxicated (DWI) case. His enforcement efforts have included high-impact interventions on both motorized vessels and paddle craft.
Beyond enforcement, McGinley is a dedicated instructor and mentor. He has taught marine safety courses to local law enforcement, mentored new game wardens and delivered water safety presentations to area schools. His participation in a televised ride-along with a local news station ahead of Memorial Day helped amplify safety messaging to a statewide audience.
McGinley has also enhanced emergency response in his area by creating a critical incident email system in coordination with the sheriff’s office and local fire departments. His training programs have improved interagency coordination and readiness. As a NASBLA-certified boating accident investigator, McGinley has helped reduce reportable boating incidents on Canyon Lake over the past three years.
Additionally, he remains active in community outreach through youth hunting events, water safety initiatives and public programs like Trout Fest.
2024 Association of Midwest Fish and Game Law Enforcement Officers Texas Officer of the Year
A graduate of the 54th Texas Game Warden Academy class in 2009, Stovall has been stationed in Nacogdoches County for the past 16 years, where he has built strong relationships with his district, protecting Texas’s natural and cultural resources.
His work extends beyond enforcement as he is a passionate educator and advocate for outdoor safety. Whether participating in hunter education courses or leading Operation Outdoors events, Stovall works to instill a deep respect for Texas’s wildlife and outdoor heritage, especially among young Texans.
Stovall’s consistent community engagement and strong public presence have strengthened local conservation efforts and made a lasting impact. His commitment to service and family is also central to his work.
He was formally recognized at the AMFGLEO national conference earlier this summer in Deadwood, S.D., for his exceptional contributions to natural resource protection, public safety, and community education.