Central Heights native promoted to captain in TPWD Nacogdoches District

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) - The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced the promotion of a Central Heights native to the rank of captain for its Nacogdoches District. [KLTV Channel 7 News]

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department elevated Shawna Poole to captain of the agency's Nacogdoches District, recognizing years of dedicated service to the state's wildlife law enforcement mission. Poole, a native of Central Heights, brings extensive experience in game warden work and environmental stewardship to the leadership position.

Poole earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University. Her bachelor's degree focused on interdisciplinary studies, while she pursued a master's degree in educational leadership. Before entering law enforcement, she worked as a middle school teacher, drawing on her academic background to educate young people.

Her path to the wildlife enforcement field began in her hometown through the Nacogdoches Police Explorers, an annual program designed to introduce teenagers to law enforcement careers and training. That formative experience sparked her broader interest in public safety work and led her to pursue formal game warden training.

Poole completed the 59th Game Warden Academy in 2015 and immediately began her career in Webb County. After one year, she relocated to Freestone County, seeking to work closer to her East Texas roots. Throughout her tenure, she accumulated a diverse array of professional responsibilities extending well beyond traditional patrol duties.

Her specialized skills included participation in boat accident reconstruction efforts, public information operations and firearms training using Simunitions, a less-lethal ammunition system. The breadth of her expertise demonstrated commitment to professional development and agency needs across multiple departments.

State officials recognized Poole's exceptional performance on multiple occasions. She received the Director's Citation Award in 2016 and earned the title of Hunter Education Game Warden of the Year in 2022, accolades that reflected her dedication to wildlife conservation and public education initiatives.