William Alden Smith of Grand Rapids was selected as the 1st salaried fish & game warden in Michigan and served for eight years. Later on in his life, Smith went onto a career in politics, becoming a U.S. Senator. He served for 20 years in Washington, where his claim to fame was chairing the hearings into the sinking of the Titanic.
Source : HistoryOrb.com
For more information, see DNR Law Enforcement Division Celebrates 125 Years