Lieutenant Joey Wray retired from TWRA after 30 years of service to Tennessee and its wildlife. Wray started his career in 1989 and served in several capacities. Becoming a wildlife officer was a goal of Wray’s since childhood. He recalled Wildlife Officer Chuck Borum visiting his sixth grade class in Lawrence County. This contact, along with fishing trips to David Crockett State Park with his mother and hunting trips with his father, set Wray’s path.
Wray attended the University of Tennessee at Martin and graduated with a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management. After being hired with TWRA and completing the academy, Wray was assigned as an officer for Warren and surrounding counties. In his early years, he worked with turkey restoration and with cases involving illegal deer hunting. He recalls very low harvest numbers for deer at that time, and catching illegal netting of paddlefish and walleye on Center Hill. Wray created the Middle TN Sportsman Club and is still well known in the area for his work. “I learned a lot from fellow officers in my early career. I never looked at a clock and never watched for quitting time. I enjoyed those days,” shared Wray.
TWRA was reorganized in 2010 and Wray took on new duties, developing his role with the agency. He oversaw dispatchers and was the evidence custodian for the 24 counties in Region 3. Wray helped develop the Field Training Officer program for new hires and was the chemical immobilization drug custodian, becoming U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency certified. Wray also inspected wildlife rehabilitation facilities in the region and was a Tennessee Tech University instructor from the mid 1990’s until 2017. Anyone graduating from Tech with a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management will know Wray from his Wildlife Law Enforcement class.
The duty Wray was most honored to take on during his career was TWRA Chaplain. Bringing spiritual support to families affected by death or injury, along with supporting his coworkers through difficult cases, took Wray’s position in a different path of servitude. Wray stated, “As time goes by, I look back at relationships formed and how much time I’ve spent with my coworkers. I’m blessed to have worked a job that most only dream about. I’m privileged to have served with such great people across the state.”
Major CJ Jaynes, Wray’s supervisor, conveyed, “Joey has done so much and supported every agency program. He’s been supportive of not only TWRA, but many partnering organizations. He’s always been tenacious and seen every project he’s been involved with through to completion. Joey has helped create a strong foundation that his coworkers will build upon.” Major Jaynes and everyone at TWRA wish Joey the best in his retirement adventures.
