Prev Next
Justin Phillip Hurst
Agency patch
Game Warden

Justin Phillip Hurst

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Law Enforcement Division — Austin, TX
Felonious
United States flag Texas flag
End of Watch March 17, 2007
Age 34
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
The Vigil Panel 155 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 13

Incident

Game Warden Justin Hurst was shot and killed by a subject in Wharton County following a high speed pursuit on U.S. Route 90 ALT.

The subject had fled after he was approached by another game warden who suspected him of illegally hunting from the roadside. Warden Hurst was called as back up and he and officers from other agencies pursued the man through two counties. The man then exchanged shots with the officers at the intersection of U.S. Highway 90 ALT and County Road 252 in Wharton County.

Warden Hurst suffered several gunshot wounds in the shootout. He was flown to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries in the early morning hours the following day, his 34th birthday.

The subject was shot and wounded by deputies during the exchange. He was taken into custody, convicted of capital murder, and subsequently sentenced to death. He was executed on January 27th, 2016.

Warden Hurst graduated from the academy to become a warden in August of 2002.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, 4-month-old son, parents, and brother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnnsbbs2t65s0s1sqej7
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Justin. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Game Warden Hurst gave the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Austin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Hurst.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Law Enforcement Division
Type Other
Location Austin, Travis County, TX
Platform Identity tpwdledcons.travis.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 17, 2007
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Age 34
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Rifle

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Justin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
  4. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 2007, 84 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Justin was 34. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Justin had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Law Enforcement Division has 14 officers remembered here, Justin among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Game Warden Justin Phillip Hurst

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Law Enforcement Division · End of Watch March 17, 2007

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W

↑