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The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announces the selection of Chris Hodge as the next Colonel and Director of the Law Enforcement Division (LED).
Col. Hodge began his career with the Law Enforcement Division in 2001 as a Game Warden in the Coastal Region and has steadily advanced through the ranks, earning promotion to field supervisor in 2009 and Captain in 2015. In his role as Captain, he oversaw law enforcement operations across 20 counties, encompassing the entirety of Georgia’s coastline.
“Col. Hodge is deeply committed to the work of the Law Enforcement Division, and his decades of service with Georgia DNR have given him a wealth of knowledge that will serve him well in this role,” said DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon. “I’m confident that under his leadership, the Division will continue to thrive as we safeguard Georgia’s natural resources and serve the public.”
With more than 20 years of instructional experience, Hodge has served as a Peace Officer & Standards Training Council (POST) Instructor and has instructed at the Georgia Game Warden Academy. He is a graduate of the Professional Management Program at Columbus State University Command College, the inaugural DNR Leadership Academy, and the National Association of Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Leadership Academy, which he completed in 2018 in Shepherdstown, W.V. Hodge also completed the Law Enforcement Executive Development Association program in 2017.
“I am humbled to be selected to serve as the next Colonel of the DNR Law Enforcement Division. We are blessed with an outstanding team of Game Wardens in Georgia who work hard every day to protect our natural resources and the people of this state,” stated Col. Hodge. “I look forward to leading the men and women of this Division as we continue to move forward together and to working alongside our sister divisions in support of the DNR mission.”
Hodge and his wife, Melissa, have been married for 33 years and reside in Camden County.
Col. Hodge succeeds current Director and Col. Mike England, who will retire on April 30, 2026, following more than 35 years of dedicated service to the Department.
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ABOUT THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
The mission of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is to sustain, enhance, protect, and conserve Georgia's natural, historic and cultural resources for present and future generations, while recognizing the importance of promoting the development of commerce and industry that utilize sound environmental practices.
ABOUT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION OF GEORGIA DNR
The Law Enforcement Division (LED) of DNR is responsible for protecting Georgia’s wildlife populations by enforcing laws, rules and regulations pertaining to game and non-game animals, threatened and endangered plants and animals, exotic animals, boating safety, litter and waste control and other natural resource issues. LED also administers the state’s hunter education and boating safety programs. Game Wardens investigate violations of wildlife laws, as well as hunting and boating incidents. LED’s Game Wardens are the most versatile law enforcement officers in the state with specialized training in Woodland Operations, Waterborne Operations, Aviation, Critical Incident Reconstruction, Search-and-Rescue, Disaster Response, K-9, and Urban Crime Suppression.
For more information, contact Haley Chafin, Manager of External Affairs, at (470) 303-0719; haley.chafin@dnr.ga.gov or visit GADNR.org.