DPS Trooper Dies After Being Struck During Crash Investigation
September 29, 2024 – AUSTIN – It is with great sadness the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces the death of a Highway Patrol Trooper following a traffic crash in Ector County. Trooper Kevin Alexis Ramirez Vasquez, 25, was investigating a traffic crash along SH 302 when he was struck by a vehicle around 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Trooper Ramirez Vasquez suffered serious injuries and was taken to Medical Center...
DPS Recognizes Courageous Acts at August PSC Meeting
August 26, 2024 – AUSTIN – The Public Safety Commission (PSC), along with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steven McCraw, recognized the service of several Texans at the PSC meeting at DPS Headquarters in Austin. Commissioners and Director McCraw presented one Medal of Valor, three Director’s Awards, five Lifesaving Awards and one Unit Citation. “These awards highlight some of the most selfless acts of heroism in...
DPS Welcomes 101 New Troopers to Texas Highway Patrol
August 23, 2024 – AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) commissioned 101 new Texas Highway Patrol Troopers from recruit Class A-2024 during a graduation ceremony at Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin. Texas Governor Greg Abbott delivered the keynote address. A-2024 is the department’s 175th recruit class. 130 Trooper Trainees were originally selected to begin the DPS Academy on January 29, and of those 130 only...
Former Sulphur Springs DPS Officer Named First Female Ranger Major in 200 Year History
September 12, 2023 – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces the promotion of Texas Ranger Captain Wende O. Wakeman to the rank of major, making her the first female Ranger major in the organization’s storied two-hundred-year history. “Major Wende Wakeman’s years of hard work, her tremendous strength of character and her unwavering determination have all led her to this moment,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “I...
DPS Increases Enforcement to Keep Roads Safe on July 4
Texas Department of Public Safety image AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Texas Highway Patrol (THP) will be initiating two traffic safety campaigns during the holiday weekend looking for people violating traffic laws from Friday, July 1, through Monday, July 4. “Our nation’s freedom is something worth celebrating, and I encourage everyone to do it in a responsible way,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “This...
DPS Urges Children, Drivers to Learn Safe Habits During National School Bus Safety Week
National School Bus Safety Week is Oct. 18-22, 2021, and the Texas Department of Public Safety would like to remind the public that they play an important role in ensuring the school buses make it to their destinations safely each day. “School buses are the safest mode of travel for children to get to school, and drivers need to do simple but crucial things, such as not passing a school bus or paying attention when they...
DPS Encourages Safety For Labor Day Holiday
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety encourages everyone to drive safely as they celebrate the unofficial end of summer during the long Labor Day weekend. The Texas Highway Patrol will be increasing enforcement from Sept. 3 through Sept. 6, looking for people not wearing their seat belts, speeders, people driving while intoxicated and drivers who fail to follow the state’s Move Over, Slow Down law, among other...
DPS To Increase Traffic Enforcement For The Holidays
DPS PRESS RELEASE AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced its annual Christmas and New Year’s holiday traffic enforcement campaigns will kick off on Wednesday, Dec. 23. DPS is reminding drivers to celebrate the holiday season responsibly by practicing safe driving habits and obeying all traffic laws. “Another year is drawing to a close, and while there are many reasons to celebrate, we must all remember to do so...
Former Sulphur Springs Trooper Making DPS History As One Of First Female Ranger Captains
August 11, 2020 – Three Texas Rangers, including a Ranger who began her DPS career in Sulphur Springs, are making history with their promotions to the rank of captain, according to Texas Department of Public Safety. DPS logo Wende Wakeman, who began her career as a DPS Trooper in Sulphur Springs, and Melba Saenz are the first two female Ranger captains in DPS history. James Thomas is the first-known Ranger in modern history...
DPS Increasing Patrols for Both Christmas and New Year’s
The Texas Department of Public Safety will be increasing patrols around both the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The emphasis began Christmas eve and will continue through Sunday for the Christmas holiday. A news release notes patrolling troopers will be looking for drunk drivers, speeders, seal belt violators and other drivers who are endangering themselves and others on the state’s roadways. DPS Director Steven McCraw...
