The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the promotion of Captain James McLaughlin to Lieutenant Colonel. Lt. Col. McLaughlin will serve as the new deputy director of the Law Enforcement Division under Col. Mike England. As deputy director, he will oversee all field operations of the law enforcement division.
“Lt. Col. James McLaughlin has demonstrated great leadership, loyalty and trust throughout his career, and we are honored to have him as our law enforcement deputy,” said Walter Rabon, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. “He brings a lot of experience that I believe will have a positive impact within the law enforcement division.”
Lt. Col. McLaughlin is a 23-year veteran of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and spent much of his career as a game warden in Region 4, where he was assigned to Telfair County. He was promoted to corporal on September 1, 2011 and to administrative sergeant in 2013. McLaughlin’s dedication and value ethic were recognized, and he was again promoted to field sergeant in 2014 and advanced to the rank of captain in 2021. As a captain, he led the DNR’s law enforcement division for the Northwest Georgia region. McLaughlin has received numerous local, regional, state and even national awards for his contributions.
“James has consistently reached out to take on more responsibility and I know he will be a tremendous asset in this leadership role,” said Col. Mike England, director of the Georgia DNR’s Law Enforcement Division. “His work at all levels of the department, coupled with his knowledge and leadership skills, will benefit Georgia and our natural resources.”
In his new role, Lt. Col. McLaughlin will work out of DNR’s Law Enforcement Division headquarters in Social Circle. He is newly married to his wife BreAnna.
