Texas State Parks Police Officers Earn Awards
March 31, 2026 – AUSTIN — Several Texas State Parks Police Officers received awards from the Park Law Enforcement Association (PLEA) and were recognized at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Meeting on Thursday.
Lifetime Achievement Award — Chief Wes Masur
Chief Wes Masur was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from PLEA, being recognized for a career of more than 30 years reflecting unwavering dedication, innovation and commitment to service. Masur has served as Chief of Texas State Park Police for over two decades, leading approximately 150 officers and serving more than 85 State Parks with more than 9.6 million visitors per year.
“Chief Masur’s leadership has been visionary and transformative,” said PLEA’s Executive Director Dale Steele. “He led a complete organizational restructure, secured Schedule C pay status for his officers, modernized equipment and technology, strengthened recruitment and training standards, and elevated professionalism across the agency. Under his guidance, officers gained access to premier training opportunities and advanced tools necessary for modern law enforcement.”
PLEA Life Saving Award — Sergeant Lynn Kuenstler and Officer Gary Carter
Texas State Park’s Police Sergeant Lynn Kuenstler and Officer Gary Carter were honored with PLEA’s Life Saving Award.
On July 11, 2025, Officer Carter responded to a medical emergency while on patrol in Garner State Park. He found an unresponsive park visitor in the Pecan Grove camping loop and worked to remove them from the vehicle and immediately began administering CPR. Sergeant Kuenstler arrived on scene with oxygen and an AED, allowing the officers to continue life-saving measures as a team, ultimately restoring responsiveness to the visitor. They later learned that the visitor had slowly lost vision, complained of chest pain and was unresponsive for two minutes before they arrived.
PLEA Life Saving Award — Sergeant Neal Kocurek and Officer Ryan “Price” Blalock
Sergeant Neal Kocurek and Officer Ryan “Price” Blalock also earned the Life Saving Award from PLEA.
Near Sheldon Lake State Park on Oct. 31, 2025, Officer Blalock observed heavy black smoke and alerted Sergeant Kocurek before finding a vehicle partially aflame with an 18-year-old driver trapped inside. Blalock entered the vehicle to attempt a rescue, with the driver pinned beneath the dashboard with his leg impaled. Kocurek arrived and joined in the effort. The officers retrieved fire extinguishers and worked to suppress the fire which was moving into the passenger compartment. The Sheldon Fire Department arrived, and being former firefighters themselves, the officers assisted with the charging line and provided equipment transport until the man was extricated and airlifted to a trauma center.
Throughout the rescue, both Officer Blalock and Sergeant Kocurek were exposed to heavy smoke, toxic fumes, extinguisher powder and danger of exploding vehicle components, all without the aid of breathing apparatus or respirator protection. Both required decontamination and fully recovered, while the victim suffered no burns and was treated for the physical trauma to his body.
