HOUSTON -- Cool-as-ice vampires melt in fear when they hear that Burl "Wake 'em and Stake 'em" Purry is on their trail.

Known as the world's toughest vampire hunter, he's said to have exterminated 956 of the creatures since 1979.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound ex-Green Beret and veteran of the Texas Rangers has successfully tracked down the undead in Mexico, Japan, Romania and even New York City. "I love the stench a dying blood-sucker gives off as it crumbles into dust -- it's the smell of victory," he declares with a grin.

*snip*

"However, some members do argue that he uses excessive force."

Houston-based Purry, who charges a hefty $4,500 fee for his services, is usually called in by local law enforcement officials who've been unable to deal with a persistent vampire problem.