Ranger Jennifer Hughes Commissioned

The Friends of Lake James State Park wishes to formally congratulate Ranger Jennifer Hughes on her recent commissioning as a Special Peace Officer for the State of North Carolina. The Oct. 2 swearing-in ceremony marked the official beginning of Hughes’ and five other newly minted park rangers’ careers as fully functioning law enforcement officers.

Hughes started at Lake James in December, 2022 and has been working her way toward this culmination of her training ever since.

She’s not done yet, however. North Carolina State Park Rangers carry a multitude of certifications, including wildland fire fighting, search and rescue, environmental education and emergency medical response. Those skills will come in time, but with her law enforcement certification in hand, Ranger Hughes is now able to enforce all park rules and regulations, as well as state statutes, within the boundaries of Lake James State Park.

Please join us in sending Ranger Jenny a heartfelt, “Job well done.”