Texas A&M Forest Service Adds Investigator

The Texas A&M Forest Service has expanded its law enforcement ranks as Chad Mathes of Garrison was sworn in as the agency’s newest investigator during a ceremony held at the state agency headquarters in College Station.

Mathes joins an elite division of commissioned peace officers responsible for enforcing state laws, investigating wildland arson and protecting the timber resources. He is one of the agency’s 12 officers and investigators—all licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and approved by the Texas A&M System Board of Regent.

“Investigator Mathes comes to us with over 20 years of investigation experience in law enforcement and is a master peace officer, the highest Texas Commission on Law Enforcement proficiency certification a peace officer can obtain in Texas,” says Connor Murnane, Texas A&M Forest Service chief law enforcement officer.. “A well-seasoned investigator, Chad has a knack for staying up to date on current crime trends and provides a high level of customer service to victims of these crimes.”

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.

Last year, the department conducted 78 timber theft investigations, recovering over $156,000 for landowners who were victims of timber theft, and investigated 149 wildfires.

Following wildfires, members of local law enforcement initiate investigations but often request assistance from Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement. During the cause and origin investigation of a wildfire, investigators examine contributing factors such as weather conditions, vegetative fuel consumption, as well as 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.