Press Releases

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is proud to announce the creation of the new Homeland Security Division following the passage of Senate Bill 36 by the 89th Texas Legislature. This landmark legislation marks a significant step forward in the state’s effort to modernize and enhance its security posture by formally establishing a division dedicated to unifying, coordinating, and leading statewide homeland security efforts.

AUSTIN – In celebration of its 90th anniversary, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) held its largest Legacy Run this morning ahead of Friday’s graduation for Recruit Class A-2025. Just under 200 DPS personnel, both past and present, from across the state, joined the recruit class for the special six-mile run from Camp Mabry, the original home of DPS, to the Texas State Capitol. Colonel Freeman Martin also took part – his first time running the Legacy Run since becoming Colonel in Dec. 2024.

EL PASO – During the past week, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), in conjunction with several partner law enforcement agencies, conducted a human trafficking operation in El Paso, Texas.

AUSTIN – As students begin heading back to school, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds all Texans to exercise heightened caution and adhere to safety measures implemented to protect students, staff and fellow drivers this school year. This includes tips on how to safely drop off and pick up your child from school, drive cautiously through school zones and talk to your family and loved ones about staying safe this school year and beyond.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking information on the 2019 murder of 37-year-old Courtney Allan Sholar. The reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for his death is now increased to $6,000 if the tip is received before the next featured Texas Rangers cold case is announced. Anyone with information in this case is asked to please come forward.

SAN ANGELO – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), in coordination with the Tom Green Co. Sheriff’s Office, captured an assault suspect after a miles-long pursuit that ended in Mertzon this week.

DEL RIO – The man arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) for smuggling more than a dozen illegal immigrants inside a cloned home improvement store delivery truck last year will spend the next decade behind bars. Cezanne Megel Patterson, 29, of Jackson, Miss., was sentenced to 10 years of confinement in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) prison on July 24, 2025.

AMARILLO – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today held a special unveiling ceremony for a Hoof Prints of the American Quarter Horse statue at the DPS Amarillo District Office. The new statue symbolizes strength, honor, integrity and service and pays tribute to DPS personnel serving Texans in the Panhandle.

WINKLER CO. – The man responsible for the 2022 murder of 48-year-old Alexis Sanchez Azcuy in Winkler Co., Texas will spend the rest of his life in prison thanks to collaborative investigative efforts by the Texas Rangers with local, state and federal law enforcement. Alejandro Rodriguez Hernandez, 33, received a life sentence for murder and 20 years of confinement for abuse of a corpse by a Winkler Co. jury on July 16, 2025.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added Jose Antonio Marquina-Bonilla—a criminal illegal immigrant who has been deported back to Honduras multiple times—to Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List. Texas Crime Stoppers is now offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to his arrest. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces the capture of a violent, repeat sex offender from Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List in Harris Co. Jacob Aaron Kessler was arrested on Friday, July 18. A Crime Stoppers reward will not be paid for his arrest.

DEAF SMITH CO. – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), along with the Hereford Police Department and Deaf Smith Co. Sheriff’s Office, made dozens of arrests during a coordinated crime suppression operation in Deaf Smith Co. last week.

CANYON – A teenager suspected of planning an attack at local Independence Day festivities in Northwest Texas is behind bars thanks to a joint investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Amarillo Police Department (APD) and the Randall Co. District Attorney’s Office.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added Benjamin Song to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List. Texas Crime Stoppers is now offering a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to his arrest. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is also offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to Song’s arrest and conviction.

AMARILLO – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), conducted a joint human trafficking investigation involving three local massage parlors in Randall Co. this week.