Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Law Enforcement Division, Texas
End of Watch Thursday, August 2, 2001
Add to My HeroesMichael Charles Pauling
Game Warden Michael Pauling was killed after being dragged alongside a vehicle that sped away as he was talking to the driver at about 12:30 am.
He had stopped to investigate a couple who were involved in a domestic disturbance in a vehicle on the shoulder of Highway 73, between Highway 82 and Savannah Avenue, in Port Arthur. Warden Pauling had the female participant wait in his department pickup truck while he returned to the vehicle to check on the welfare of the woman's children. The male suddenly sped away, dragging Warden Pauling alongside the vehicle.
The female participant, driving Warden Pauling's vehicle, then began following the car dragging him. When Warden Pauling fell from the vehicle he was struck by the female participant, who had called 911 on her cell phone reporting the incident. The male subject turned himself in and was charged with capital murder.
On September 20th, 2002, the 32-year-old subject was sentenced to 55 years and fined $10,000 for Warden Pauling's murder. He will be eligible for parole on July 10, 2029.
Warden Pauling was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for five years. He is survived by his wife, two sons, and parents.
Bio
- Age 47
- Tour 5 years
- Badge 1256
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Vehicular assault
- Weapon Automobile
- Offender Sentenced to 55 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 36 ReflectionsRest easy
Mark Mottola
August 2, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Gabriel Facio
Apache Junction Police Department, AZ
EOW: June 8, 2025

Police Officer Krystal Rivera
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: June 5, 2025

Sergeant J. D. White
Angleton Police Department, TX
EOW: June 1, 2025

Police Officer Timothy Ontiveros
Bloomfield Police Department, NM
EOW: June 1, 2025

Police Officer Samuel Riveros
Baldwin Park Police Department, CA
EOW: May 31, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Daniel Weston Sherrer
Morrow County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: May 26, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Nathaniel Ansay
Florence County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: May 20, 2025

Lieutenant Allen "Noochie" Credeur
Rayne Police Department, LA
EOW: May 5, 2025

Special Deputy Sheriff Larry Henderson, Jr.
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: May 2, 2025