Law Enforcement

Game Warden Sgt. Chris Wilson included in National Memorial  

Texas Game Warden Sgt. Christopher Ray Wilson was considered a “gentle giant” by colleagues and friends. Always aware of his imposing size, he never lost his cool during his 16-year tenure, even when investigating major environmental crimes or threats against fellow wardens.

Wilson died in August 2021. His name will be engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., and read aloud during the annual candlelight vigil on May 13.

According to his supervisors, Wilson had an uncanny ability to see the “bigger picture” and to anticipate what was coming down the road. That vision extended to his personal life, where boundaries with his work often blurred.

Wilson enrolled his children in the same schools he had attended, coached their sports teams and used his community relationships to advocate for Texas game wardens, even recruiting his nephew.

With such a clear vision of the future, Wilson lived his life accordingly — planting seeds and building bridges that guaranteed his loved ones, his community and his game wardens thrived. His sacrifice and absence will be remembered, not just in the hearts of those who knew him but forever through his name on the national memorial.

Watch a livestream at NLEOMF.org/vigil.