NCWRC Division of Law Enforcement Chiefs/Colonels 1947-present

Leaders are visionaries with a poorly developed sense of fear and no concept of the odds against them.  ~  Robert Jarvik

North Carolina has had conservation laws in place since colonial days, but it wasn’t until the early 1900s that there was an effort to begin enforcing those laws in a uniform manner.  Conservation law enforcement went through several iterations on the state level – county game wardens loosely managed by state funding to the Audubon Society to wildlife protectors with the North Carolina Department of Conservation and Development - before the formation of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission in 1947.  

In the years since 1947, North Carolina has gone through tremendous social, political and economic change.  Soldiers did battle in Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, the Middle East and Afghanistan.  We saw the rise of textile manufacturing then its exit to Latin America and the Far East.  The interstate speed limit rose to 70 mph, dropped to 55, then rose back to 70.  Home mortgage rates have bounced from low single digits to near 20% and then back down again.  Gains were made in equity between races and gender.  Biologically, quail declined while deer, bear and turkeys increased.  The NCWRC went from an agency funded solely by license sales to one receiving legislative appropriations.  The years have passed with near continual change.

Helping navigate the law enforcement program through these changes has been a series of chiefs.  The following is a brief narrative and photos of the men who have led the wildlife law enforcement efforts of the NCWRC since 1947.

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Charles D. Kirkpatrick was born on May 15, 1894.  He attended the Agriculture and Mechanical College in Charlotte, North Carolina and later N.C. State.  He served as 1^st Lieutenant with the N.C. National Guard (120^th Inf. Co. F) in the 1920s.  Kirkpatrick was the chief of law enforcement in the 1940s with the N.C. Department of Conservation and Development’s Division of Game and Inland Fisheries.  When the NCWRC was formed in 1947, he continued as chief of the "Protection Division" until 1948.  After his time with the NCWRC, Kirkpatrick returned to the Department of Conservation and Development to work with the Commercial Fisheries Division.

Charles D. Kirkpatrick
from the NC State yearbook

D. Warren Lupton, Jr. was selected to replace Kirkpatrick.  Lupton was appointed Beaufort County game protector on September 1, 1937 and later served as refuge protector at Lake Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge.  In 1947, the newly formed NCWRC chose Lupton as the supervisor of law enforcement in District 1.  He became chief of the division on February 1, 1948. 

Chief D. Warren Lupton, Jr.
from Wildlife in North Carolina

G.A. Jones became chief on November 1, 1949.  Jones was a native of Franklin, N.C.  He served in the U.S Navy during World War II as a combat pilot in the Pacific, Caribbean, African and European theaters.  After his military service, he earned a law degree from the University of North Carolina and was admitted to the N.C. Bar in August 1949.  Jones left the agency in 1953 to go into private law practice.

Chief G.A. Jones
from Wildlife in North Carolina

Assistant director of the Institute of Government, University of North Carolina, W.C. Bumgarner, replaced Jones as chief in 1953.  Like Jones, Bumgarner served as a combat pilot during World War II and was an attorney.  At the IOG, Bumgarner had been responsible for pre-service and in-service training for N.C. wildlife protectors.

Chief W.C. Bumgarner
from Wildlife in North Carolina

When Bumgraner left the commission, NCWRC assistant director Eugene Schwall served as acting chief for two months until a new chief was selected.

Walter F. Anderson became chief in June 1955.  Anderson was a graduate of the FBI National Academy and had served as chief of police with the Winston Salem and Charlotte Police Departments.  After leaving Charlotte PD, he was appointed director of the N.C. Department of Justice's Bureau of Investigation and then the Prison Department.  He was well known across the state as a leading Methodist layman.  In his letter of resignation he wrote,

“The employees of the Wildlife Protection Division, beginning with my secretary, assistant chief, supervisors, patrolmen and down to the youngest wildlife protector, have been loyal, faithful and cooperative in all matters of law enforcement and wildlife conservation.  I deeply regret to leave these dedicated employees who have rendered an excellent service and have given me their loyal support.  I leave with the sincere belief that they will continue to serve in a faithful and loyal manner and give my successor the same loyalty, faithfulness and devotion to wildlife conservation and efficient law enforcement in each of nine districts.”

Chief Walter F. Anderson
from Wildlife in North Carolina

Anderson returned to the SBI and served as director until 1966.

Ben H. James replaced Anderson on November 1, 1956.  James had a background in wildlife biology.  He left the protection division in 1959 to become the eastern supervisor of the NCWRC wildlife management areas.

Chief Ben H. James
from Wildlife in North Carolina

Chief James (right) and Asst. Chief Bob Hazel
from Wildlife in North Carolina

Robert B. Hazel replaced James on July 1, 1959.  Hazel was a World War II pilot who flew 37 combat missions in the European theater.  After his military service he returned to college, finishing with a graduate degree from Penn State.  He initially worked as a small game biologist with the NCWRC before becoming assistant chief in 1956.  He left the division in 1969 to become assistant director of the NCWRC.  Hazel became executive director in 1976.

NCWRC Executive Director Robert Hazel
from Wildlife in North Carolina

Donald E. Curtis replaced Hazel as chief in 1969 and served in that capacity for ten years.  Curtis was previously stationed as a protector in McDowell County and served as the District 8 supervisor before becoming assistant chief in 1959.

Chief Donald E. Curtis
from Wildlife in North Carolina

Chief Curtis and Asst. Chief Overton lead a supervisors' meeting
from Wildlife in North Carolina

C.J. Overton replaced Don Curtis on January 1, 1979.  Overton served during World War II with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Macon Island.  He received a Naval Commendation and Presidential Unit Citation for his service in the South Pacific.  He began his NCWRC career in 1950 as a protector in Aurora.  He became an area leader in 1956, and was the District 1 supervisor from 1959 to 1969.  He moved to Raleigh and became assistant chief in 1969.

Chief C.J. Overton
from Wildlife in North Carolina

Gene H. Abernathy is a native of Granite Falls, N.C.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956 as a military policeman.  He later attended Western Carolina University and the University of Florida Forest Ranger School.  He went to work as a wildlife protector in 1959 and was stationed in Manteo and later Lumberton.  He promoted to District 7 as supervisor in 1971.  He became assistant chief in 1979.  Abernathy was promoted to chief in late 1980.  During Abernathy’s tenure, the division switched to its current military rank system.

Gene H. Abernathy
Protector of the Month - August 1962
from Wildlife in North Carolina

“Gene came to the recruit graduation in 2012.  He spent some time with the recruits prior to their graduation, passing along stories of days past.  His continued passion for the job and affection for the recruits was apparent.”  DC

                                                                                                                       

Col. Gene Abernathy - 1980
from Wildlife in North Carolina

Winfield T. Rhyne replaced Abernathy as colonel in 1984.

“Col. Rhyne was my first colonel.  I was stationed way out west and don’t recall ever meeting him.”  DC

                                                                                                                    

Col. Winfield Rhyne and Executive Director Vernon Bevill receive a
CB radio from Holt Thorton to be used on Gaston and Kerr Lakes
from Wildlife in North Carolina - 1984

William Harold Ragland was promoted to colonel in 1987.  Ragland was a native of Wake County and served as an airborne radar observer in the U.S. Air Force.  He became a wildlife protector in 1962.  He served as a supervisor in Districts 5, 8, and 9 before moving to the Raleigh office.

W. Harold Ragland
Know Your Protector - February 1970
from Wildlife in North Carolia

“One thing mattered most to Col. Ragland – catching folks.  It has been said that when he was a field supervisor and an officer would stop by his house, Col. Ragland’s kids would ask, “How many have you caught today?”  I recall him and Major C.J. Smith coming to an inspection when I was stationed in District 9.  We lined the trucks up and stood at attention when they arrived.  Major Smith gigged me for having a block haircut.  I didn’t understand then or now exactly what that meant.”  DC

                                                                                                                       

Col. Harold Ragland
from Wildlife in North Carolina - 1987

Jerry R. Rich was promoted to colonel in January 1992.  A native of Mecklenburg County, Rich attended N.C State and served four years with the Strategic Air Command of the U.S. Air Force.  He came to work with the NCWRC in 1966.  He was the NCWRC’s chief pilot for many years.  His son, Mark, is currently a lieutenant in District 1.

Jerry R. Rich
Know Your Protector - July 1969
from Wildlife in North Carolina

“Col. Rich served in his position for a short period of time.  We were coming out of a difficult time as a division.  I recall him visiting the district and meeting with each of us individually to reinforce the expectations of us as officers.  And maybe more importantly, he communicated what was not expected.”  DC

Col Jerry Rich, Retired, pins the lieutenant bars on his son, Mark Rich - October 2013
photo by Melissa McGraw

Robert (Bobby) M. Tatum was promoted to colonel in June 1992.  He is a native of Lee County and attended Sandhills Community College.  He went to work as a wildlife protector in 1969 in Richmond County.  Later that year, he was called to active duty with the N.C. National Guard (he retired after 20 years of service with the National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves).  Upon his returned from military duty, he was assigned to Mecklenburg County.  He promoted to patrolman in 1974 to Robeson County.  While stationed there he completed his degree in criminal justice at Robeson Technical College.  He promoted to captain in District 3 and then to major in 1991.  He retired from the NCWRC on January 1, 1998.

Robert (Bobby) M. Tatum
Know Your Protector - March 1971
from Wildlife in North Carolina

“My favorite memory of Col. Tatum was of me going down to the office sometime in the early 1990s.  I had been working less than ten years.  The general thought of visiting the office made most of us a bit squeamish so the usual tactic was to blow in and out as fast as possible before we were noticed.  I arrived shortly before noon.  Col. Tatum met me in the hallway and invited me to lunch.  I was struck by his friendly nature and when he asked about my concerns, he actually listened to what I had to say.”  DC

                                                                                                                        

Col. Tatum and Commssion Chairman John Lentz presenting achievement
awards to Allen Hicks and Joey Williams for a water rescue.
from Wildlife in North Carolina - 1996

Roger Lequire became colonel in January 1998.  A native of Swain County, Lequire began his career in Polk County in 1976, rising to the rank of sergeant.  He promoted to lieutenant in D-7 and then on to captain in charge of training.  He served as major of administration and then field operations before assuming leadership of the division.

Roger Lequrie, Travis Whitson and Dan Moore with a bear trap
from Wildlife in North Carolina - 1980

“Col. Lequire, then Sgt. Lequire, was one of our driving instructors during recruit school.  He had a little fun with us, but not in a way that demeaning.  He was a great speaker (he also spoke to the recruits in 2012 and 2013) and had a seemingly natural command presence.  I recall virtually anytime he spoke to the officers he would reinforce that we, 'Do the right thing.'”  DC

                                                                                                                      

Col. Roger Lequire
from Wildlife in North Carolina

Kenneth Everhart promoted to colonel in July 2004.  An Eagle Scout from Rowan County, Everhart’s first duty station was Granville County in 1982.  He later transferred to Union County, before promoting to sergeant in District 8.  He promoted to lieutenant in District 3, and in 1993 to captain in charge of training.  Like Col. Lequire, Everhart worked as both the major of administration and field operations before becoming colonel.

Col. Kenneth Everhart
photo by Melissa McGraw

“Everhart was also one of our recruit instructors.  His PT could be brutal, but he always led the PT by participating - he did everything he expected us to do - a trait that he exhibited as a supervisor.  We worked in the same platoon when he was a sergeant in District 8.  He was very gregarious and always took time to talk with us when we visited the office.”  DC

                                                                                                                      

Floyd O. (Dale) Caveny, Jr is a native of Cleveland County.  After a period of working in a body shop, he applied and was accepted into the NCWRC’s last pre-service school in 1984.  In 1985, he was signed to Graham County in District 9.  He transferred to Rutherford County before promoting to sergeant and later lieutenant in D-7.  He promoted to colonel in June 2010 and retired in March 2014.  He is a graduate of Western Carolina University.

Dale Caveny - 1985

Col. Dale Caveny
photo by Melissa McGraw

Jon Evans was promoted to colonel in April 2014.  A native of Mebane, he graduated from N.C. State University and worked for 1 1/2 years as a police officer in Raleigh.  A member of the North Carolina National Guard from 1990-1996, he served with C Company, 1/120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Brigade and later with A Company, 1/119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Brigade.  He went to work as a wildlife officer in 1996 and was stationed in District 1.  He later transferred to District 3 before promoting to sergeant in District 5.  He then promoted to captain and was in charge of training.  He is a graduate of  the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Land Management Training Program and the N.C. Justice Academy’s Management Development Program.

Col. Jon Evans
photo by Melissa McGraw

“I recall Jon from recruit school when I was an instructor.  Even then he assumed a leadership role as platoon leader.  Later, we worked together as instructors in both recruit and in-service training.  I have always enjoyed conversations with Jon and continue to value his insight.” DC

                                                                

Colonel Evans pointed out the names of fallen wildlife officers to his son, Andrew, at the fallen officer memorial at the NC Justice Academy in Salemburg, NC.

Ben Meyer was promoted to colonel in September 2022. Col. Meyer is a native of Garner, North Carolina and a graduate of Garner High School. He attended N.C. State University where he played football and received a degree in Fish and Wildlife Science. At the time of his promotion Col. Meyer is a 22-year veteran of the agency. He served as the assistant training director for four years where he was responsible for both recruit and in-service training for all officers. In his last assignment he was the Major of Support Services.

Photo: NC Wildlife Resources Commission

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As I researched information for this post, I tried to determine if there were commonalities that would led to an officer becoming chief or colonel.  None are apparent to me (except that they are a goodlooking bunch).  I encourage you to share any recollections you have of any of these men in the comment section below.

L-R Dale Caveny, Bobby Tatum, Roger Lequire, Kenneth Everhart, Gene Abernathy
2012 Recruit Graduation NC Justice Academy, Salembury NC
photo by Geoff Cantrell