AUSTIN—For his work prosecuting natural and cultural resource violations and environmental crimes in the state, Robert G. Neal Jr., County Attorney for Sabine County, has been recognized with the inaugural Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Prosecutor of the Year award.

The award was presented to Neal at Thursday’s meeting of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.

“Mr. Neal has been a tremendous support to game wardens in his community,” said Col. Grahame Jones, TPWD Law Enforcement Division Director. “Every day, more than 500 extremely dedicated Texas Game Wardens work to protect our valuable and fragile natural recourses and to keep Texans safe. Successful prosecution sends a strong message to the violators and acts as a future deterrent for others who are considering violating the law.”

A graduate of West Sabine High School, Stephen F. Austin State University, and South Texas College of Law in Houston. He was admitted to the Texas State Bar in 1995. After working for several law firms, he returned home and became the County Attorney of Sabine County, Texas in 1999.

For the past 10 years, cases Neal has prosecuted range from criminal trespass, hunting deer at night, illegal taking of Eastern Turkeys, drug possession cases, and boating while intoxicated and DWIs issued by game wardens and park peace officers.

For photos of the award, visit the TPWD Flickr page.