Austin, Texas---The Texas Game Warden Academy's largest class ever graduated and was sworn in, and badges pinned on by Governor Rick Perry on June 9, 2009 in the House of Representatives Chamber in the State Capitol. Out of the 51 cadets is one of the finest young men of East Texas, Sam Shanafelt. Sam will be stationed in Trinity County joining Game Warden Chad Jones of Trinity, Texas. Sam is the son of Edgar A. Jr. and Debra West of Groveton, and Ralph J. Sr. and Penny Shanafelt of Seguin, Texas.
   Game Wardens perform water rescue operations, respond to natural disasters, and conduct public outreach programs, in addition to enforcing traditional hunting, fishing, and water safety regulations.
  Current Graduates received 1,400 hours of training over seven months in areas such as peace officers training, firearm use, public speaking, police driving, all terrain vehicles and various Texas Parks and Wildlife statutes and other state codes.
  Sam and his wife, Nancy Due Shanafelt will be making their home in Groveton, Texas.